Phil Ivey has been branded as the greatest poker competitor in the world by many of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn every little thing he could about the game. He would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t let the detrimental comments from other people kill his goal of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors in the world.

He began playing intently after getting a false ID by the name of Jerome. He practiced his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The initial few years for him were a teaching period and coming away with a win was not a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a two dollar, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the closing table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and a continuing passion for poker. He says that he is picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil knows he makes errors in each game of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Although Phil has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a regular basis.