Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New 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 pickup everything he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental comments from others kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.