Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender on the globe by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not let the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better 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 successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his success. He admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.