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Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative comments from other people kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to get better.

Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.