Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to discover everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from other people kill his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.

He began playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching period and winning 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 1st World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. 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.

Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his achievements to dedication and an eternal love for poker. He states that he is picking up skills every single day and is incredibly humble about his accomplishments. Phil knows he makes mistakes every single session of poker and constantly aspires to get better.

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