Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills 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. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.