Phil Ivey has been branded as the best poker competitor in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players in the world.

Phil started playing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he made two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every day and is quite abashed about his success. He admits to making blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.

Even though Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a normal basis.