Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.