Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player in the world by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he could about poker. Phil routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He did not allow the detrimental feedback from others kill his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

He began competing intently after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his techniques at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a learning opportunity and winning wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved 2 final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. 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 decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his achievements. He knows he makes mistakes every single game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.

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