Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to learn anything he could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.

Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. He admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.

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