Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from others kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an undying love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.