Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an undying passion for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.