Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.