Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender in the world by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover whatever he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

Phil started competing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.

Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.