Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His papa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his success. He admits to making blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.