Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender on the globe by most of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. 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.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.