Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the adverse comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "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 Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying love for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.