Phil Ivey has been labeled 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 NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He began competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well 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 Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.