Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.
