Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.