Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.
He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his success. He admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.