Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to get better.
Although Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.
