Phil Gordon was born on July 6^th, 1970. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and is not to be confused with the slightly older politician who shares the same name and is the mayor of Phoenix, Arizona.

Phil Gordon graduated from Georgia Tech in 1991, with a degree in computer science. He worked for Santa Cruz Operation before moving on to Lockheed, then joining a small start-up called Netsys Technologies. When Netsys was acquired by Cisco Systems, Gordon became a millionaire and decided to retire from the technology industry to do some travelling, and play poker. 

Gordon entered his first World Series of Poker Main Event in 2001, and came in 4^th, taking winnings of $400,000. He also made the final table in two events in 2002, and the No Limit Texas Holdem Shootout event in 2005. So far he has never managed to win a bracelet. His career winnings at the WSOP so far total $641,073.

Gordon has enjoyed more success with the World Poker Tour. In 2004 he knocked out two players at once to win the Bay 101 Shooting Stars Tournament, and in 2002 he won the professional division of the inaugural Ultimate Bet Aruba tournament. He then went on to lose the championship to Juha Helppi, the winner of the amateur division tournament.

Poker is not the only game Gordon has had success at; in 1990, he won the Red Ribbon Pairs national bridge championship.

As well as playing poker, Gordon often commentates on broadcast poker tournaments. He was a commentator on Celebrity Poker Showdown for several seasons, and also commentates for Binion's online broadcasts from the World Series of Poker Championship Event.  

Gordon is also an author, and has so far had three books on poker published – including 'Poker: The Real Deal', and 'Phil Gordon's Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Holdem'.

His books have a very hands-on style, and he often walks readers through hands that he has encountered in tournament play, and explains the decisions he made. He also produced an instructional DVD called 'Expert Insight: Final Table Poker'.

Gordon has also written several articles for poker magazines, and has a regular column with ESPN.com.

Away from the poker tables, Gordon is a board member for the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF). He organizes regular fund raising events, including special charity poker events. He also donates prizes for sale on the CRPF website, including private poker lessons, and autographed items.