Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before reaching turning one. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse comments from others kill his ambition of being one of the best poker players on the planet.

Phil began playing intently after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the closing table he defeated many of the well known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and always strives to get better.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.