Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to pickup anything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an undying passion for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is very humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.
