Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His papa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup everything he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal outcome 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 game. At the last table he defeated a number of the well known pros which includes "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. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.