Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.