Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player on the planet by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning one. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to discover whatever he could about the game. He routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the detrimental comments from other people destroy his goal of being one of the strongest poker players in the world.

Phil began playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. 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.

He decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable love for the game of poker. He says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his success. He admits to making mistakes in each session of poker and constantly strives to improve.

Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.