Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player on the planet by quite a few of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he could about the game. Phil routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.

Phil began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a common thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known professionals including "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 participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Although Phil has won some big-time tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.