Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental comments from others destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. 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 undying passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.