Greatest Poker Players of All Time

When it comes to poker, there are a few names that stand out above the rest. These players have dominated the game with their skill, strategy, and success in major tournaments. Here are some of the greatest poker players of all time, in no particular order.

Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu, also known as “Kid Poker,” is a Canadian professional poker player. He has won six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and two World Poker Tour (WPT) championship titles. Negreanu is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and has been named the Global Poker Index player of the decade.

Justin Bonomo

Justin Bonomo is an American professional poker player who has won over $49 million in live tournaments. He has won three WSOP bracelets and has won several high-stakes tournaments, including the Big One for One Drop in 2018 for a record-breaking $10 million prize.

Bryn Kenney

Bryn Kenney is an American professional poker player who has won over $56 million in live tournaments. He has won one WSOP bracelet and has won several high-stakes tournaments, including the Triton Million for Charity in 2019 for a $20 million prize.

Doyle Brunson

Doyle Brunson, also known as “Texas Dolly,” is an American professional poker player who has been playing for over 50 years. He has won 10 WSOP bracelets and is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. Brunson is considered the grandfather of poker and has written several books on the game.

Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth is an American professional poker player who has won 15 WSOP bracelets, the most of any player. He is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey is an American professional poker player who has won 10 WSOP bracelets and one WPT championship title. He is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Stu Ungar

Stu Ungar was an American professional poker player who won three WSOP Main Event titles. He is considered one of the greatest poker players of all time but unfortunately passed away in 1998.

Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel is an American professional poker player who has won eight WSOP bracelets and one WPT championship title. He has also won several high-stakes tournaments and is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame.

Johnny Chan

Johnny Chan is a Chinese-American professional poker player who has won 10 WSOP bracelets, including back-to-back Main Event titles in 1987 and 1988. He has also won several high-stakes tournaments.

Dan Smith

Dan Smith is an American professional poker player who has won over $36 million in live tournaments. He has won one WSOP bracelet and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Johnny Moss

Johnny Moss was an American professional poker player who won nine WSOP bracelets, including the first two Main Event titles in 1970 and 1971. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern poker.

David Peters

David Peters is an American professional poker player who has won over $35 million in live tournaments. He has won two WSOP bracelets and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Antonio Esfandiari

Antonio Esfandiari is an American professional poker player who has won over $27 million in live tournaments. He has won three WSOP bracelets and has won several high-stakes tournaments, including the Big One for One Drop in 2012 for a $18 million prize.

Jason Koon

Jason Koon is an American professional poker player who has won over $31 million in live tournaments. He has won one WSOP bracelet and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Fedor Holz

Fedor Holz is a German professional poker player who has won over $32 million in live tournaments. He has won one WSOP bracelet and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Stephen Chidwick

Stephen Chidwick is an English professional poker player who has won over $34 million in live tournaments. He has won one WSOP bracelet and has won several high-stakes tournaments.

Dan Harrington

Dan Harrington is an American professional poker player who has won two WSOP bracelets and is known for his success in tournament poker. He has written several books on the game, including “Harrington on Hold’em.”

John Juanda

John Juanda is an Indonesian-American professional poker player who has won five WSOP bracelets and one WPT championship title. He has also won several high-stakes tournaments.

Isaac Haxton

Isaac Haxton is an American professional poker player who has won

Key Poker Events and Tournaments

WSOP

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the most prestigious poker tournament in the world. It is held annually in Las Vegas and attracts the best poker players from around the globe. The tournament has been held since 1970 and has grown to include over 80 events. The main event, which has a buy-in of $10,000, is the most prestigious and is considered the world championship of poker. The WSOP has created many poker legends, including Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, and Chris Moneymaker.

Big One for One Drop

The Big One for One Drop is a charity poker tournament that was first held in 2012. The tournament has a buy-in of $1 million, with $111,111 of each buy-in going to the One Drop Foundation, a charity that provides clean water to people in need around the world. The tournament is held every four years and has attracted some of the biggest names in poker. The first Big One for One Drop was won by Antonio Esfandiari, who took home a prize of $18.3 million.

World Poker Tour

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that are held around the world. The tour was created in 2002 and has since become one of the most prestigious poker tours in the world. The WPT has events in North America, Europe, and Asia, and has created many poker legends, including Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen, and Phil Ivey.

L.A. Poker Classic

The L.A. Poker Classic is an annual poker tournament that is held at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. The tournament has a buy-in of $10,000 and attracts some of the biggest names in poker. The tournament has been held since 1992 and has created many poker legends, including Phil Hellmuth, Gus Hansen, and Michael Mizrachi.

Super High Roller Bowl

The Super High Roller Bowl is a high-stakes poker tournament that is held annually in Las Vegas. The tournament has a buy-in of $300,000 and attracts some of the biggest names in poker. The tournament was first held in 2015 and has since become one of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world. The Super High Roller Bowl has created many poker legends, including Brian Rast, Christoph Vogelsang, and Justin Bonomo.

Poker tournaments such as the WSOP, Big One for One Drop, World Poker Tour, L.A. Poker Classic, and Super High Roller Bowl have become major events in the world of poker. These tournaments offer players the chance to win large sums of money and become legends in the game.

Impact and Influence on Poker

Poker has been a popular card game for centuries, but it wasn’t until the turn of the 21st century that the game experienced a massive surge in popularity, largely due to the influence of a few key players.

Poker Boom

In the early 2000s, the poker world was forever changed by the “Moneymaker Effect,” named after Chris Moneymaker, an amateur player who won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2003. Moneymaker’s victory, which was widely broadcast on television, inspired a new generation of players to take up the game. The following year, the number of WSOP Main Event participants more than doubled, and the poker boom was in full swing.

Online Poker

The rise of online poker also played a significant role in the game’s popularity. With the advent of online poker rooms, players could compete against each other from anywhere in the world, at any time of day. This made the game more accessible to a wider audience and helped to fuel the poker boom.

Rounders

The 1998 film “Rounders,” starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, also had a significant impact on the game’s popularity. The movie, which follows two young poker players as they navigate the underground poker scene in New York City, helped to glamorize the game and introduce it to a wider audience.

Modern Game

Today’s poker game is heavily influenced by a few key players who have left their mark on the game. These players have helped to shape the modern game of poker, and their impact can be seen in the way the game is played today.

Skill

One of the most important factors in a poker player’s success is their skill level. The best players can read their opponents, make calculated decisions, and manage their bankroll effectively.

Longevity

Another key factor in a player’s success is their ability to maintain their edge over the long term. Many players have had short bursts of success, but only a select few have been able to maintain their dominance over many years.

Cash Games

While tournaments are often the focus of the poker world, cash games are where the most skilled players can shine. In a cash game, players can come and go as they please, and the stakes can be much higher than in a tournament.

Online Cash Game Winner

In recent years, a new breed of poker player has emerged: the online cash game-winner. These players have honed their skills in the online arena and can transfer their success to the live game.

The Tiger Woods of Poker

Phil Ivey is often referred to as the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” due to his dominance of the game over the past two decades. Ivey has won 10 WSOP bracelets and has been a force in both cash games and tournaments.

The Comeback Kid

Daniel Negreanu is known as the “Comeback Kid,” due to his ability to bounce back from adversity and win big tournaments. Negreanu has won six WSOP bracelets and has been a fixture in the poker world for over 20 years.

Overall, the impact and influence of poker players on the game cannot be overstated. From the poker boom to the modern game, the best players have left their mark on the game and will continue to do so for years to come.

Poker Hall of Fame Inductees

The Poker Hall of Fame is the highest honor a poker player can receive. Since its inception in 1979, the Poker Hall of Fame has inducted 61 players, each of whom has made significant contributions to the game of poker. The following are some of the most notable Poker Hall of Fame inductees:

Doyle Brunson

Doyle Brunson, also known as “Texas Dolly,” is widely considered the grandfather of poker. He has won ten World Series of Poker bracelets and is one of the most successful poker players of all time. Brunson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988.

Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth is one of the most successful poker players in history, with 15 World Series of Poker bracelets to his name. He is known for his brash personality and his ability to win big tournaments. Hellmuth was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007.

Johnny Chan

Johnny Chan is a two-time World Series of Poker Main Event champion and one of the most successful tournament players of all time. He has ten WSOP bracelets to his name and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2002.

Stu Ungar

Stu Ungar was a legendary poker player who won three World Series of Poker Main Events in his career. He was known for his incredible talent and his troubled personal life. Ungar was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2001.

Johnny Moss

Johnny Moss was one of the pioneers of poker and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He won nine World Series of Poker bracelets in his career and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979, the inaugural year of the Hall of Fame.

Amarillo Slim

Amarillo Slim was a colorful character who won four World Series of Poker bracelets in his career. He was known for his gambling exploits and his ability to hustle opponents. Slim was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.

Each of these players has made significant contributions to the game of poker and has earned their place in the Poker Hall of Fame.

Milestones and Achievements

WSOP Bracelets

Winning a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet is considered one of the most prestigious achievements in poker. It is a symbol of excellence in the game and a testament to a player’s skill and perseverance. The greatest poker players of all time have won multiple WSOP bracelets, and some have even won them in consecutive years.

Phil Hellmuth holds the record for the most WSOP bracelets with 15. He won his first bracelet in 1989 at the age of 24 and has since won bracelets in a variety of games including Texas Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud, and Razz. Other notable players with multiple WSOP bracelets include Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Phil Ivey.

Big One for One Drop

The Big One for One Drop is a high-stakes tournament with a buy-in of $1 million. The tournament was first held in 2012 and has since become one of the most prestigious and lucrative events in poker. The tournament is also unique in that a portion of the buy-in goes to charity.

Antonio Esfandiari won the inaugural Big One for One Drop in 2012, taking home a staggering $18.3 million. Dan Colman won the tournament in 2014, earning $15.3 million, and Elton Tsang won in 2016, taking home $12.2 million.

Super High Roller Bowl

The Super High Roller Bowl is another high-stakes tournament that attracts the best poker players in the world. The tournament has a buy-in of $300,000 and has been held annually since 2015. The prize pool for the tournament is typically in the tens of millions of dollars.

Justin Bonomo won the Super High Roller Bowl in 2018, earning $5 million. Daniel Negreanu, who is widely considered one of the greatest poker players of all time, won the tournament in 2014, taking home $8.3 million.

Cash Winnings

Cash winnings are another important milestone in a poker player’s career. The best players in the world have won millions of dollars playing in cash games and tournaments.

Daniel Negreanu is the all-time leader in tournament earnings with over $42 million in winnings. Antonio Esfandiari is second on the list with over $27 million in winnings. Phil Ivey is third with over $26 million in winnings.

In terms of cash game winnings, Phil Ivey is widely considered one of the best. He has won millions of dollars playing in high-stakes cash games against some of the best players in the world. Other notable cash game players include Tom Dwan, Patrik Antonius, and Viktor Blom.

Conclusion

The greatest poker players of all time have achieved many milestones and accomplishments throughout their careers. Winning WSOP bracelets, the Big One for One Drop, and the Super High Roller Bowl are just a few of the many achievements that have helped cement their legacies in the game. With millions of dollars in tournament and cash game winnings, these players have proven themselves to be some of the best in the world.

Rising Stars in Poker

Poker is a game of skill, and there are always new players emerging on the scene who are making a name for themselves. Here are some of the rising stars in the world of poker:

Adrian Mateos

Adrian Mateos is a Spanish poker player who has quickly risen to the top of the game. He won the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event in 2013 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player ever to win a WSOP bracelet. He has since gone on to win two more bracelets and has earned over $20 million in live tournaments.

Dominik Nitsche

Dominik Nitsche is a German poker player who has been making a name for himself in the poker world. He has won four World Series of Poker bracelets and has earned over $18 million in live tournaments. He is known for his aggressive playing style and his ability to read his opponents.

Brian Rast

Brian Rast is an American poker player who has been playing professionally since 2005. He has won three World Series of Poker bracelets and has earned over $21 million in live tournaments. He is known for his analytical approach to the game and his ability to make calculated decisions.

Huck Seed

Huck Seed is an American poker player who has been playing professionally since the early 1990s. He has won four World Series of Poker bracelets and has earned over $7 million in live tournaments. He is known for his unorthodox playing style and his ability to make bold moves at the table.

Vanessa Selbst

Vanessa Selbst is a retired American poker player who is considered one of the best female poker players of all time. She has won three World Series of Poker bracelets and has earned over $11 million in live tournaments. She is known for her aggressive playing style and her ability to read her opponents.

These rising stars are just a few of the many talented players who are making their mark in the world of poker. With their skill and determination, they are sure to continue to achieve great things in the years to come.

Key Figures in Online Poker

Chris Moorman

Chris Moorman is one of the most successful online poker players of all time. He has been a dominant force in online poker since the early 2000s and has amassed over $18 million in online tournament winnings. Moorman has also won the Online Player of the Year award six times and has over 100 online tournament victories to his name.

Phil Galfond

Phil Galfond is another legendary online poker player. He has been a fixture in the online poker world since the mid-2000s and has won millions of dollars in online cash games. Galfond is also the founder of the online poker training site, Run It Once, which has helped thousands of players improve their game.

Jason Mercier

Jason Mercier is a highly successful online and live poker player. He has won over $18 million in live tournament winnings and has also been a regular at the highest-stakes online cash games. Mercier has won five World Series of Poker bracelets and has been a member of Team PokerStars Pro for many years.

These players have been instrumental in shaping the online poker landscape and have set the standard for excellence in the game. Other notable players include Zeejustin, who is one of the most successful online cash game winners of all time, and many others who have made their mark in the world of online poker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered the greatest poker player of all time?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as opinions on the matter vary widely depending on who you ask. However, some of the most frequently mentioned players include Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, and Stu Ungar.

Who are some of the top European poker players?

Europe has produced some of the world’s best poker players, including Patrik Antonius, Viktor Blom, and Liv Boeree.

What are the most notable achievements of the best female poker players of all time?

Some of the most successful female poker players of all time include Vanessa Selbst, Annette Obrestad, and Maria Ho. These players have racked up millions of dollars in tournament winnings and have made a name for themselves in the male-dominated world of professional poker.

Who are some of the most famous poker players in history?

Some of the most famous poker players in history include Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, and Daniel Negreanu. These players have won multiple World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and have become household names in the poker world.

What are the rankings for the best poker players of all time according to Ranker?

Ranker’s top 10 list of the best poker players of all time includes Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Stu Ungar, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Erik Seidel, Antonio Esfandiari, Fedor Holz, and Bryn Kenney.

Who are the best young poker players to watch in 2023?

Some of the best young poker players to watch in 2023 include Fedor Kruse, Ali Imsirovic, and Adrian Mateos. These players have already made a name for themselves in the poker world and are expected to continue to dominate in the years to come.