Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player on the globe by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup anything he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the negative comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.

Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s learning every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and always strives to improve.

Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.