Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His papa taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about poker. Phil would tell his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not let the adverse comments from other people annihilate his dream of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

He began playing seriously after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and winning was not a normal thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed many of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his game 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 on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every single day and is very humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to get better.

Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning money games on a regular basis.