Phil Ivey has been branded as the number one poker contender on the planet by most of the top professionals. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandpa taught him one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From then on on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn whatever he possibly could about poker. Phil routinely would tell his parents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. He didn’t allow the adverse comments from others annihilate his ambition of being one of the best poker competitors on the planet.

He began competing intently after acquiring a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning experience and winning was not a normal outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the closing table he defeated a number of the better known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his game to the next level and headed out west to Sin City. He continues to play in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his achievements to hard work and an eternal love for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every single day and is quite humble about his accomplishments. He knows he makes blunders every single game of poker and always aspires to improve.

Although Ivey has come first in some big tournaments, he prefers winning money games on a regular basis.