Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker player on the globe by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was addicted to poker and wished to learn every little thing he could about the game. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the detrimental feedback from other people annihilate his goal of being one of the strongest poker players on the planet.

Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing 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. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying love for poker. Phil states that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and always aspires to get better.

Although Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.