Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the negative comments from other people destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

He started playing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and winning was not a regular thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known pros including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the successive level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is quite humble about his success. Phil knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Even though Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying cash games on a normal basis.