Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.