Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil started playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.
Although Phil has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a regular basis.