Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the globe by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His papa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup every little thing he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from others destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
Phil began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known professionals 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 Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing love for poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.