Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender on the globe by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.