Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental comments from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning period and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including but not limited to "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. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a normal basis.
