Top 10 Best Poker Players of All Time

Poker is more than just a card game; it’s a phenomenon that has captured the imagination of millions across the globe. Over the decades, it has evolved from smoky backrooms and saloons to glitzy casinos and high-stakes online platforms, becoming a symbol of strategy, psychology, and calculated risk. The game’s journey has mirrored societal changes, embodying the spirit of competition and the allure of fortune. Poker has produced some of the most remarkable minds and personalities – legends who have shaped the game and left an indelible mark on its history.

What Makes a Poker Player the Best?

Several factors define the top 10 best poker players of all time:

• Consistency: Sustained success over years of competitive play.
• Tournament Wins: Triumphs at major events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
• Earnings: Accumulating millions in prize money.
• Skillset: Mastery of strategy, bluffing, and reading opponents.

List of Top 10 Poker Players

Countless names may emerge in the poker world, yet just a handful could earn their place as some of the best poker players ever to have played. These won fantastic earnings and titles and have revolutionized the game because of their playing styles, strategies, and personalities.

Some of the top 10 best poker players of all time that set standards include:

1. Phil Ivey: The Poker Prodigy

• 10 WSOP bracelets
• Over $30 million in tournament earnings
• Pioneering online poker success

Nicknamed the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” Phil Ivey sends a ripple among poker enthusiasts in every corner of the globe. His career is the stuff of legends, with 10 WSOP bracelets and over $30 million in live tournament winnings.

Fearsome, aggressive, and reading opponents like no other, he’s a terror to sit across at any table. He’s also been a pioneer in online poker, which shaped the modern game.

2. Daniel Negreanu: Canada’s Poker Ambassador

• 6 WSOP bracelets
• Over $50 million in live earnings
• Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame

One of the game’s most beloved figures for his combination of strategic brilliance and approachable personality, Daniel Negreanu has a career totalling six WSOP bracelets and two World Poker Tour (WPT) titles and over $50 million in live earnings as a testament to this consistent success.

His reading of opponents and his ability to change gears with different approaches make him an absolute nightmare to sit at a table with, while his charm has made him the darling of audiences across the globe.

3. Doyle Brunson: The Godfather of Poker

• 10 WSOP bracelets
• Author of Super/System
• Lifetime influence on poker strategy

The career of Doyle Brunson, the “Godfather of Poker,” has survived more than five decades in the sport. Brunson is a two-time World Series of Poker Main Event champion, and his influence on poker is immeasurable.

His seminal book Super/System indeed revolutionized poker strategy. It remains a must-read to this day for any serious poker player. Brunson is one of a kind and quiet but possesses unparalleled knowledge of the game. His legacy lives on because it still shapes the world of poker.

4. Stu Ungar: The Poker Genius

• 3 WSOP Main Event wins
• Dominance in both poker and gin rummy

Stu Ungar’s career is probably the most tragic yet inspiring story in poker history. With three WSOP Main Event wins, he was widely considered one of the most gifted players ever to have played the game. Personal demons aside, Ungar was a master at the table.

He reads his opponents and makes moves that gain him nicknames like “The Genius.” His life and career were cut tragically short, but not before he was able to leave quite a mark on poker.

5. Johnny Chan: The “Orient Express”

• 10 WSOP bracelets
• Inspiration for a generation of players

Back-to-back wins for Johnny Chan in the 1987 and 1988 WSOP Main Event cemented his position at the top of poker. Known for being calm and exceptionally skillful, Chan’s impact on the game has been immense.

Indeed, one of the most iconic moments in poker history is his fabled duel against Erik Seidel during the 1988 final table, while his successes in both tournament and cash games remain an inspiration to newer generations of players.

6. Phil Hellmuth: The Poker Brat

• 16 WSOP bracelets (a record)
• Over $20 million in live earnings

With his fiery personality and trademark “Poker Brat” persona, Phil Hellmuth is arguably the most recognizable figure in poker. Hellmuth has held a record 16 WSOP bracelets; nobody in the game’s history has come close to his amazing achievements.

He has been highly dominant in tournament poker, particularly in no-limit hold ’em, with more than $20 million in live earnings. He is undoubtedly an excellent player, even if his on-table antics tend to gain more attention.

7. Erik Seidel: The Silent Assassin

• 8 WSOP bracelets
• Success in high-stakes tournaments

Erik Seidel isn’t boisterous; he isn’t over the top, like many of his peers. But, a peek at his poker results justifies it all: with eight WSOP bracelets to date and consistent results in high-stakes events, Seidel is rightly regarded as a model for consistency and discipline at the table.

His serene calculation while playing has him pegged as one of the world’s most respected players.

8. Chris Moneymaker: The Game-Changer

• 2003 WSOP Main Event champion
• Catalyst for the poker boom

In poker history, Chris Moneymaker’s win in the 2003 WSOP Main Event was instant. Qualifying via a $39 online satellite entry, his win for $2.5 million as an amateur helped fuel the poker boom of the early 2000s.

The result put him in front of millions and gave him the same motivation he is still known to symbolize today.

9. Antonio Esfandiari: The Magician

• $27+ million in live earnings
• WSOP Big One for One Drop winner

Antonio Esfandiari has a personality larger than life, and so does his poker game. Esfandiari is considered one of the game’s greats, with over $27 million in live earnings, including a record-breaking $18 million at Big One for One Drop.

The flair with which he approaches the game, coupled with his understanding of the game’s strategies, has won him much publicity.

10. Bryn Kenney: The Earnings King

• Top all-time money earner
• Consistent success in high-stakes events

At the top of the all-time money list, Bryn Kenney has made over $57 million in live tournament earnings. Kenney is a very aggressive and innovative player who has consistently succeeded at high-stakes events.

His ability to adapt to different formats and his risk-embracing style have made him one of the modern greats in the poker world.

These ten players represent the pinnacle of poker achievement, each bringing a different skill. From the fearless game of Phil Ivey to the strategic genius of Daniel Negreanu, these poker legends have moulded the game into what it is today and continue to inspire players all over the world.

Canada’s Poker Elite

Canada has produced some of the finest poker talents, many continuing to dominate the global stage. Beyond Daniel Negreanu, several Canadian players have left their mark on the game:

• Timothy Adams: Hailing from Burlington, Ontario, Adams is known for his success in high-roller tournaments, with career earnings surpassing $30 million.
• Sam Greenwood: A Toronto native, Greenwood excels in high-stakes events, with multiple Super High Roller victories and over $25 million in earnings.
• Jonathan Duhamel: The 2010 WSOP Main Event champion Duhamel, made history as the first Canadian to win poker’s most prestigious title.
• Daniel Dvoress: Renowned for his high-stakes prowess, Dvoress has accumulated over $20 million in career earnings.
• Mike McDonald: Known as “Timex,” McDonald is one of the youngest players to win a European Poker Tour (EPT) title.
• Sorel Mizzi: A Toronto-born player, Mizzi has consistently performed at the highest levels, earning over $12 million in his career.
• Michael Watson: From St. John’s, Newfoundland, Watson is a versatile player with multiple major titles and over $18 million in earnings.

The game of poker has come a long way, evolving into a global phenomenon that transcends borders and cultures. Whether it’s the allure of high-stakes drama, the strategic depth, or the personalities at the table, poker continues to captivate audiences. The stories of the best poker players of all time – from legends like Doyle Brunson and Stu Ungar to modern masters like Phil Ivey and Bryn Kenney – highlight the game’s rich history and enduring appeal. As poker grows, the next generation of players, including Canada’s rising stars, will undoubtedly add new chapters to this incredible legacy.