Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.
He started 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 learning opportunity and winning was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated many of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.