Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the negative feedback from others annihilate his dream of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.

Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. He 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 match. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known professionals including "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 Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an undying love for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his success. He admits to making errors every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.

Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.