Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the adverse comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

He began competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win was not a normal outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he defeated quite a few of the well 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 moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his success. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.

Although Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.