Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the globe by quite a few of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental feedback from others kill his dream of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

He began competing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he destroyed a number 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 next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and a continuing love for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.

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