Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker contender in the world by most of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa showed him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup every little thing he possibly could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse feedback from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

Phil started playing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his techniques at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular outcome at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated a number of the well known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete 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 passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is picking up skills every day and is incredibly humble about his achievements. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and always strives to improve.

Despite the fact that Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a normal basis.