Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse feedback from other people kill his goal of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

Phil started competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching period and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and always strives to improve.

Despite the fact that Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.