Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.

Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed 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 game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.

Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.