Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.