Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental comments from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.