Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse comments from others annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.