Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an undying love for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.