Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he could about the game. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker competitors in the world.

Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for poker. Phil states that he’s learning every single day and is very abashed about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.