Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known professionals 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 greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.