Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. He 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 then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse comments from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and winning was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.