Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began competing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next 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. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.