Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative feedback from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players on the planet.

Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning period and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to dedication and a continuing love for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Although Ivey has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying money games on a normal basis.