Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.

He began playing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing passion for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to get better.

Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.