Phil Ivey has been referred to 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 reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.
He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing 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 successive 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 discipline and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.