Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn everything he could about poker. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and winning was not a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every single day and is very abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Although Phil has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.