Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the globe by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative comments from others kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning was not a common thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an immeasurable love for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a normal basis.