Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn whatever he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always strives to get better.
Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.
