Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 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.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He admits to making blunders every single session 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.