Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player in the world 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 grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover everything he could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse feedback from other people kill his dream of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.

He began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated a number 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 Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He states that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.