Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse feedback from other people annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.

He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP where he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an eternal love for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.

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