Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the globe by most of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental feedback from others kill his goal of being one of the best poker players on the planet.

He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "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 Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He admits to making errors every single game of poker and always strives to get better.

Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.