Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker contender in the world by many of the top pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.

He started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.

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