Phil Ivey has been labeled as the number one poker competitor in the world by most of the top professionals. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup everything he could about the game. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the adverse comments from others annihilate his goal of becoming one of the best poker players in the world.

He started playing seriously after acquiring a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a learning period and coming away with a win was not a common outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 WSOP when he made 2 final tables and came away with his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he destroyed a number of the well known pros including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players on the planet. Phil credits his success to discipline and an undying passion for the game of poker. Phil states that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making blunders in each game of poker and constantly aspires to get better.

Although Ivey has won some big-time tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a regular basis.