Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
Phil started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.
