Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker competitors on the planet.

He started competing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred 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 next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to hard work and an undying love for the game of poker. He states that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.