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Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental comments from others destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

Phil began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 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.

He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.

Although Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.