Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker player in the world by quite a few of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wished to pickup every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t allow the adverse comments from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.

He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and always strives to get better.

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