Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before reaching turning one. His grandpa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with 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 experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey 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 incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly aspires to improve.

Even though Phil has come first in some big tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.