Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching turning 1. His papa introduced him to one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, he was addicted to poker and wanted to discover every little thing he possibly could about poker. Phil would tell his elders that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil did not let the adverse feedback from other people destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker players on the planet.

Phil began competing seriously after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his skills at the casinos in Atlantic City. The first number of years for Phil were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. He made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the final table he destroyed a number of the better known professionals which includes "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. Phil continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his success to hard work and an eternal passion for the game of poker. Phil says that he is learning every single day and is incredibly abashed about his achievements. He knows he makes blunders in each session of poker and always strives to improve.

Even though Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he likes destroying money games on a normal basis.