Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to Jersey before reaching the age of 1. His grandfather taught Phil one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil routinely told his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental feedback from other people kill his ambition of being one of the strongest poker competitors in the world.

Phil began playing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a teaching experience and winning wasn’t a common thing at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP when he made two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed quite a few of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

Phil decided to take his skills to the next level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his success to discipline and an eternal passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors every single session of poker and always strives to get better.

Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he favors winning cash games on a regular basis.