Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative comments from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is very abashed about his success. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.