Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of one. His papa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative feedback from other people kill his dream of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number of the better 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 best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.