Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he could about poker. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.
He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and always strives to get better.
Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.