Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching turning one. His grandpa showed him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn everything he possibly could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental feedback from others destroy his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

He started competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning few years for him were a learning period and winning wasn’t a normal thing at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he achieved 2 final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the last table he destroyed a number of the better 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 Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an immeasurable love for poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. He admits to making errors every single session of poker and constantly aspires to improve.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a normal basis.