As a child, he played cards with his grandfather who tried to teach him the evils of gambling. This exposure to card playing actually was a motivating factor to young Phil to make gambling his career. Consequently, at the age of 16, he announced to his family and to his teachers that professional gambling was his goal in life.

At the age of 18, he obtained a fake ID and began visiting casinos in Atlantic City where he honed his skills in Poker: Limit, No Limit, Stud, Omaha and Poker Tournaments. At the age of 20, he made Atlantic City his home.

When Phil turned 21, he began playing in the World Series of Poker and making a name for himself among the well known players. He played in Las Vegas, then in Long Beach, California and is now back in Vegas playing in the high limit area of the Bellagio.

Phil Ivey's World Series of Poker Bracelet Wins:

- June 26, 2005 - $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha - $635,603 Prize

- April 23, 2002 - $1,500 Seven Card Stud - $132,000 Prize

- May 10, 2002 - $2,000 S.H.O.E. (a rotation of Stud, Hold'em, Omaha and Stud Hi/Lo) - $107,540 Prize

- May 3, 2002 - $2,500 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo - $118,440 Prize

- May 5, 2000 - $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha - $195,000 Prize

Not only did he win three titles in the 2002 WSOP but he tied the record for most bracelets won in one year.

Ivey had great success in other Tournaments. He won the $1 million first prize at the Monte Carlo Millions Tournament on November 20, 2005. Several days later, he walked away with the $600,000 first prize at the FullTiltPoker.com's Invitational Tournament which was broadcast live from Monte Carlo on Fox Sports Net.

Phil Ivey had another success in February 2006 when playing against Texas billionaire Andy Beal in Las Vegas. Several of Ivey's Poker colleagues had pooled their money and took turns playing against Beal. Earlier in the month, he took them for ten million dollars. Ivey then played Beal for the group and over the course of three days, took him for sixteen million dollars. Beal stated that because of his loss to Ivey, he is giving up Poker!

As of this writing, Ivey's tournament wins are in excess of $6,000,000. However, he states he will now be focusing more on cash games then on Tournaments.