Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.
