Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative comments from others destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros 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 Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.