Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about the game. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.

Phil started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision 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 in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil states that he is learning every day and is very humble about his achievements. He admits to making errors in each session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.

Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis.