Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor on the globe by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not permit the adverse comments from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

Phil started playing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and a continuing love for poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders in each session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.

Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.