Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the globe by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from others destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his success. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Even though Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.
