Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker player in the world by quite a few of the top-ranked professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and relocated to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he could about the game. He routinely told his grandparents that he was going to be a professional poker player. He did not permit the detrimental comments from other people destroy his dream of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.

He began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for Phil were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He became known at the 2000 WSOP 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 final table he defeated many of the better known pros which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is very abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.

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