Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker contender on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover anything he possibly could about poker. He routinely would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a learning experience and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. 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 immeasurable passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his achievements. He admits to making errors in each session of poker and always aspires to improve.

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