Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.