Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn every little thing he could about poker. He routinely told his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

He started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he defeated many of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and always aspires to improve.

Even though Ivey has won some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.