Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

Phil started competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. Phil states that he’s learning every day and is very humble about his success. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.

Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.