Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others kill his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known professionals 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 successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is very humble about his success. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.