Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative comments from other people destroy his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros 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. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.