Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn anything he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his dream of being one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.

He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for him were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an eternal passion for poker. He says that he is learning every day and is incredibly abashed about his success. He knows he makes errors every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.