Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn everything he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

He began competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an eternal love for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and always strives to improve.

Despite the fact that Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.