Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.