Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of being one of the best poker players in the world.

He began competing seriously after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The initial number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed 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 game to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. He states that he is learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to get better.

Despite the fact that Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a regular basis.