Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.
Phil began competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.