10 Best Poker Players In The World Of All Time

Poker, a game that relies on adept skills and strategy, has many amazing players worldwide. In this article, we will get to know some of the top poker players in the world and their achievements. Although it is difficult to single out the top players in the world, enthusiast poker players can still select their favourite players based on their interests and follow their gameplay to learn more from them.

List of the Greatest Poker Players of All Time

Many people like poker, which is seen as a game of skill, not luck. For skilled players, it can be a promising profession.

Many professional poker players in India participate in live tournaments and online games. Indian players' triumphs in global Poker Games have boosted the game's fame locally.

Here is a list of some of the most popular professional Poker Players of all time:

Best Global Poker Players

The best global poker players have showcased remarkable skill, strategy, and mental fortitude on the world stage. Legends like Phil Ivey, often called the "Tiger Woods of Poker," are renowned for dominating all poker formats. Daniel Negreanu, celebrated for his sharp reading abilities, remains a global icon in the poker community. Doyle Brunson, a trailblazer, revolutionized poker strategy and inspired generations. Modern stars like Justin Bonomo and Fedor Holz have made their mark with groundbreaking performances and record-setting wins. These players exemplify what it means to be the best in global poker.

Bryn Kenney

Bryn Kenny is from Long Beach, New York. He started playing poker at a young age and has performed exceptionally well in his poker journey. Kenney has secured the first rank in the All-Time Money List. He won two WSOP Bracelets: the first in the $1500 Six-Handed 10 Game Mix in 2014 and the second in the $2100 Bounty No Limit Hold’em Championship in 2024. The highlights of Bryn’s poker career are his performances in high-roller tournaments. He is known for his aggressive playing style and ability to adjust according to the situation. One of Bryn’s remarkable achievements is his performance in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity event in London, where he secured second place and won £16,890,509. His total live cash earnings are $67,015,920.

Justin Bonomo

Justin Bonomo is a famous poker player who has had great success. He ranks second on the All-Time Money List. He has won over $48 million in live tournaments, which impressively places him among the top earners in poker history. 2018 was a great year for Bonomo. He won over $25 million, got many titles, and solidified his status as one of the top players. From 2008 to January 2010, Bonomo represented Team Bodog, a famous poker brand. His total live cash earnings are $29,000,000.

Stephen Chidwick

Stephen Chidwick, born in Deal, Kent, England, began playing poker at 16. In 2013, he placed third in the European Poker Tour Prague Main Event. He won the WSOP Bracelet in the $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) High Roller and earned  $1,618,417 in 2019. He ranked fourth in the Triton Million Poker Super High Roller Series for charity and won £4,410,000. His adaptability across different poker formats and consistency in performing at high-roller events depict his reputation as a top player. His total live earnings are $59,186,554.

Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu is one of the world’s most skilled poker players. He started playing in 1997 and earned recognition in professional poker, winning $21 million, two WPT championships and six WSOP bracelets. As of November 2023, Daniel Negreanu is the third-biggest live tournament poker winner ever. His total live cash earnings are $42,000,000.

Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel is a renowned and respectable professional poker player celebrated for exceptional skills and remarkable achievements. He has won 10 WSOP Bracelets: his first ever bracelet in the $2,500 Limit Hold'em in 1992 and his latest in the $50,000 Super High Roller in 2023. He won €100,000 in the Super High Roller in the 2015 European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final. Erik’s accomplishments have earned him a place in the Poker Hall of Fame. His poker journey inspires budding poker players, showcasing adaptability, perseverance, and strategic gameplay. His total live earnings are $46,983,256.

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey is a well-known American poker pro, famous for his skills and many accomplishments in the poker industry. He won ten WSOP bracelets, cementing his place as a poker master. He also won a World Poker Tour (WPT) event and earned $23 million from live tournaments.  Ivey has triumphed in high-stakes tournaments, including the $2,500 No-Limit 2–7 Draw Lowball Event and the $2,500 1/2 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo 1/2 Omaha Hi/Lo event. His total live cash earnings are  $42,000,000.

Fedor Holz

Fedor Holz is a well-known German poker player. He excels in high-stakes games and greatly influences the poker scene. Holz has earned over $32 million in poker tournaments, proving he is very good at the game. He is well-known for concentrating on high-stakes tournaments, in which he has repeatedly shown outstanding talent and strategic ability. His total live cash earnings are $40.2 Million.

Dan Smith

Dan Smith is an American poker player who started playing at 16. He is also a philanthropist who has collaborated with Peter Singer, founder of the non-profit organisation The Life You Can Save, to raise millions of dollars. His best live cash win until September 2024 is $8,765,628; as of September 2024, his total winnings stand at $55,142,067.

Phil Hellmuth Jr

Phil Hellmuth Jr. is famous for his impressive poker successes. He has won the most World Series of Poker bracelets, with 17 to his name, which shows his great skill and consistency in poker. In 1989, he won the main event, a huge achievement that helped establish him as one of the best poker players ever. Hellmuth has won over $21.75 million in live tournaments. He is successful in WSOP and other significant poker events, proving he is a top player. His total live cash earnings are $30,229,237.

Bertrand Grospellier

Bertrand Grospellier started his gaming career as a professional StarCraft player before becoming intrigued about poker. He quickly rose to fame within the poker community. In 2007, he won the World Pour Tour (WPT) Festa El Lago and earned $1.4 million. He also won a WSOP Bracelet in the $10,000 Stud Championship and earned $331,639 in the same year. His total live earnings are $15,400,306.

Top 5 Female Poker Players of All Time

Liv Boeree

Liv Boeree is an all-rounder. She is a poker player, a science communicator, a television presenter, and the host of the Win-Win Podcast. Her total live earnings are $6,671,790. She is the only female player to win the WSOP bracelet and EPT event.

Annie Duke

Annie Duke has an impressive poker record with over $9 million net worth. She is a poker crusher who plays high-stakes poker, an author and a founder. She holds a first rank in the WSOP Tournament of Champions 2004. She has also won the national heads-up poker championship in 2010.

Kathy Leibert

Kathy Leibert has made amazing records in her poker career. One is when she finished 17th in the World Series Main Event. Her notable wins include the WSOP bracelet in the Limit Holdem Shootout event in 2004, six final tables in the World Poker Tour, and 2002 Party Millions.

Maria Ho

Maria Ho is a Taiwanese-American poker player recently inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. She has a total net worth of $4 million, of which $3 million comes from tournament earnings. The net worth also includes her 54 World Series of Poker cashes. She was the last woman in the 2007 Main event and finished 38th.

Annette Obrestadt

Annette Obrestadt, the youngest payer to win a coveted gold bracelet, has made over $3.9 million. She won several major tournaments, including a 180-player Sit N Go. She didn’t even look at her cards.

Top Five Cash Game Players

At a cash table, players use real money or chips to play. These players consistently dominate high-stakes tables and win significant amounts. Here’s the list of the top five cash game players:

Doug Polk

Doug Polk is a poker legend known for his dominant playing style in Hedas-up. In 2010, he became famous after defeating Daniel Negreanu in a 25,000-hand challenge, winning $1.2 million.

Linus “LLinusLLove” Loeliger

Linus is one of the best cash game players. He started with low-stakes games and rose to the highest online stakes, making over $2 million.

BERRI SWEET

The player is known only by his screen name, ‘BERRI SWEET’. He is the top player in PokerStars' online cash games. BERRI SWEET specialises in Limit and has made over $4.5 million, including $324,000 in a single month in 2021.

ActionFreak

The player is a PLO expert and has made over $2.1 million on PokerStars. He is famous for taking Phil Galfond in a high-profile match during the 2020 Galfond Challenge.

Timofey “Trueteller” Kuznetsov

Timofey is a cash game player who is feared by cash players in both online and live games. Between 2011 and 2018, he made over $3.1 million in online winnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do poker players make?

Poker player earnings vary widely based on skill level, game type, and frequency. Good players in low-stakes games can make $600 to $5,000 monthly.

Who is the best celebrity poker player?

Determining the best celebrity poker player is subjective. Notable celebrities like Tobey Maguire, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck are often highlighted for their poker skills.

Who are the most popular poker players?

Some of the most popular poker players include Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Justin Bonomo, and Bryn Kenney, known for their skills and tournament successes.

Who is the poker player with the most WSOP bracelets?

Phil Hellmuth holds the record for the most World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets with 16 wins, making him the player with the most WSOP bracelets.

Conclusion

The poker world is rich with skilled players who have left a memorable mark on the game's history. As poker's popularity continues to rise globally and professional players from various backgrounds succeed, it is evident that it remains a game where skill, strategy, and dedication play an essential role.