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 New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the adverse feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "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 Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.