Phil Ivey has been labeled as the greatest poker competitor in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. He would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not allow the adverse comments from others destroy his ambition of being one of the best poker players on the planet.

Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his game at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP where he made 2 final tables and won his 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Ivey credits his success to dedication and an eternal passion for poker. Phil says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes blunders every single session of poker and constantly strives to improve.

Even though Phil has won some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a regular basis.