Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His papa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
Phil started playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying love for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.