Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker player on the planet by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandpa taught him penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to pickup whatever he possibly could about the game. Phil would tell his elders that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t permit the detrimental comments from other people annihilate his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker competitors on the planet.

He began competing seriously after getting a false ID with the name of Jerome. He sharpened his abilities at the casinos in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing at the time. Phil became known at the 2000 WSOP where he achieved two final tables and won his 1st WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his skills to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. Phil continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the greatest players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his success. He knows he makes blunders in each game of poker and always aspires to improve.

Even though Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he prefers destroying money games on a normal basis.