Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the planet by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative comments from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.