Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by most of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
He started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals which includes "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 play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.
