Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse feedback from others annihilate his dream of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning opportunity and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.