Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals which includes "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 compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an undying love for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.
