Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor on the globe by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning 1. His papa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the negative feedback from other people destroy his goal of being one of the greatest poker players in the world.

He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes errors every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a regular basis.