Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision 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 in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.
