Phil was born in Riverside, CA but grew up in New Jersey. He was exposed to poker earlier than most players, but in a city whose name is synonymous with gambling, it would have been difficult to avoid the game. At eight years old, his grandfather showed him how to play Five-Card Stud, and his way with the cards seemed all too natural. He subsequently learned other poker games, and by the age of sixteen, he was playing in backroom games for money. Though Phil was already a talented player, he didn't make enough money at the poker tables to support himself and build a bankroll. He found reasonable success at a telemarketing company, and he also found new friends with whom he could sharpen his poker skills.

In 2000, Phil began entering poker tournaments like the WSOP, displaying his skills in a variety of games and winning his first bracelet at the $2,500 Omaha Pot Limit event. The prize money and title of champion spurred him on, and he was promptly traveling around the country to play in numerous of tournaments. In 2002, he entered several events at the WSOP and won his next three bracelets, this time in the S.H.O.E., Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo, and H.O.R.S.E. events. He capped this by winning his fifth bracelet in 2005 at Pot Limit Omaha. If there was any doubt about this young players abilities prior to those achievements, there would be no more. His expertise in such an assortment of games took him to another level of recognition and status in the world of poker. Many fans of the game got their first look at Phil when he appeared at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods. He then made the final table at seven more WPT tournaments, two of those being the World Championships. The eighth time was a charm for Ivey, who won his first WPT Championship at the 2008 L.A. Poker Classic.

Now living in Las Vegas, Phil is known to play in the largest high-stakes cash poker games in the world, which is where he continues to be successful and find the most challenge. In addition, his notoriety has brought about a number of endorsements. Though he doesn't exactly adore the spotlight that fame has brought, he remains grateful that he can pursue his dreams and enjoy his successes. And through it all, since his high school days and controversial career decisions as a young man, a woman named Luciaetta has been supportive and understanding. Phil lights up when he talks about his wife and their bright future together.