Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover anything he could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the negative feedback from others destroy his goal of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

He started competing intently after acquiring a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos of Atlantic City. The beginning few years for Phil were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a normal outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed many of the well known pros including "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 Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his success to dedication and an undying love for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes in each session of poker and always strives to get better.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.