Phil Ivey has been referred to as the best poker player in the world by many of the top pros. Phil was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His grandfather showed him to one cent-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wished to discover whatever he could about poker. He would tell his grandparents that he wanted to be a professional poker player. Phil didn’t permit the adverse comments from others kill his goal of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.

Phil started playing seriously after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his skills at the poker rooms of Atlantic City. The initial few years for Phil were a teaching opportunity and coming away with a win wasn’t a normal thing 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 first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, five hundred Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He made a decision to take his game to the successive level and headed out west to Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Ivey credits his success to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He states that he’s learning every day and is quite abashed about his accomplishments. Phil admits to making blunders every single session of poker and constantly strives to get better.

Although Ivey has come first in some big-time tournaments, he likes winning cash games on a regular basis.