Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about poker. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the negative feedback from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.
He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros 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 headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.