Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker competitor on the planet by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching the age of 1. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover whatever he could about poker. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental feedback from others annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

He started competing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated many of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.

Even though Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.