Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching period and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.