Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros 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 moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.
