Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated many of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his success. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.
