Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover every little thing he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.