Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover everything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
He started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing love for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and always strives to improve.
Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.