Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.