Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wished to discover anything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the negative feedback from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.

He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to dedication and a continuing passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. He admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.

Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.