Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his dream of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed 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 game to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.