Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.

Phil started competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a common thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing 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.

He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.

Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.