Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of one. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the negative comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.
He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for poker. He states that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to get better.
Although Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a regular basis.
