Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he could about poker. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the detrimental comments from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.
Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.