Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker player on the globe by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather taught Phil penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not permit the negative comments from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the best poker players on the planet.

Phil began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he destroyed quite a few of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every day and is very abashed about his achievements. He admits to making mistakes every single game of poker and constantly strives to improve.

Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers winning cash games on a normal basis.