Top 7 Best Poker Players of All Time

Here's a list of seven notable figures who have participated in world poker tour events and made their mark in the online poker scene in recent times.

Identifying the greatest poker players of all time, with significant titles and earnings in world poker tour events, can be a challenge. Poker stands as one of the most captivating card games, though success can prove elusive for certain players.

Nevertheless, there are varying opinions among poker enthusiasts on who holds the top spot in poker history. This is mainly because it's difficult to keep track of all the victories and net worth of the leading players. In this article, we'll explore a list of seven renowned individuals who have participated in world poker tour events and made a mark on the online poker scene in recent years. Many poker fans also enjoy testing their skills at bass-win.com - official site, where they can experience high-quality online poker games. In no particular order, let’s get started.

Bryn Kenney

Bryn is a professional poker player hailing from New York City, USA, who frequently plays in real money online casinos. He started his poker journey at the age of 16 while still in school, but it wasn’t until 2020 that he earned a spot among the all-time best poker players. Born in 1986, Bryn is also known as Mega Crusher. Before switching to poker, he spent his youth playing the card game Magic: The Gathering, eventually participating in his first poker event in 2007.

Bryn scored his first six-figure payout in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in 2010, where he finished in 28th place, taking home $255,242. Over the next two years, he followed up with other impressive finishes, winning events such as the World Poker Tour (WPT) high rollers, the Master Classics of Poker, and the European Poker Tour.

A regular on the Aria High Roller circuit, Bryn has built a reputation for impressive wins. While his highest finish at the WSOP is 32nd, he has consistently reached the top five in numerous prestigious tournaments worldwide.

Key highlights include:

• 2014: Winning his first WSOP bracelet in a 10-game poker event, earning $153,220.
• 2015: Finishing as the runner-up in Las Vegas.
• 2016: Securing his first seven-figure win at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA).
• 2016: Taking first place in the Triton Super High Roller.
• 2017: Scoring two wins at the Super High Roller event in Monaco.

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey, often called the Tiger Woods of Poker by his peers, has proven to be a remarkable all-around player. He was one of the most feared competitors during the poker boom of the 2000s, capturing ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) titles. Many poker professionals consider him the best all-around player.

In May 2000, at the age of 23, Ivey claimed his first WSOP bracelet. More victories followed, including three bracelets in 2002, and he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. By 2007, the young champion had made eight final table appearances and earned $1.6 million at the Las Vegas Poker Classic.

Ivey’s biggest cashes came at the Aussie Millions. In 2018, he had impressive finishes in four of the top ten global tournaments. He participated in $250,000 buy-in events for three consecutive years. His success extends beyond titles, as he was the first player to stake the largest amounts in live cash games and rack up over $20 million on Full Tilt.

Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth, nicknamed The Poker Brat, continues to be a dominant force at the World Series of Poker. He is the only player to have won a Poker Main Event both in Las Vegas and Europe (1989 and 1993). His 1989 victory marked his breakthrough on the poker scene after defeating Johny in a head-to-head match.

At the age of 24, Phil became the youngest player to win a gold bracelet at the World Series, earning a remarkable $744,000. With tournament earnings nearing $23 million, he holds three poker bracelets. Interestingly, this also makes him the highest earner in online poker tournament history. He holds a record of 162 cash finishes and is ranked 15th in WSOP history.

In addition to his poker success, Phil Hellmuth is the author of several bestselling poker books and remains one of the most challenging players. He has reached five final tables at the World Poker Tour (WPT), although he has yet to secure a victory. In 2017, he finished as the runner-up at the Legends of Poker event at the Bicycle Casino.

Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel has enjoyed a long and prosperous poker career, with his largest cash prize totaling around $2.5 million at the Super High Roller No-Limit Texas Hold'em (NLHE) championship. He made his poker debut in 1988 at the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

Now 61 years old, Erik is one of the few players to have won a WSOP bracelet eight times. He has accumulated 92 cash finishes and made an impressive 35 final tables. His total live earnings exceed $42 million, with his largest single payout being $2 million.

In 2010, Erik was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. In 1994, he claimed his fourth WSOP bracelet in the No-Limit 2-7 Draw Games. With over $38 million in live event earnings, Erik ranks 4th among the best all-time poker players and has maintained a consistent presence in the high-roller poker circuit. He currently holds the 22nd spot in the Global Poker Index ranking.

Doyle Brunson

Known as Texas Dolly, Doyle Brunson is an American professional poker player, now 85 years old, with an impressive record of 10 bracelets. His live poker earnings exceed $6 million.

Doyle is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the poker world and has won the Main Event twice. He was the first player to earn $1 million in poker tournaments. Due to his extensive experience, he is often referred to as "The Godfather of Poker."

In 1976, he won his first bracelet and $230,000 in a Main Event title, followed by $340,000 the next year. In 1978, he published a book that has become a staple for many poker enthusiasts, often referred to as the "Poker Bible."

Despite his age, Brunson remains active in high-stakes cash games, though he no longer competes regularly on the poker circuit. He made a return to the WSOP in 2018 for the $10,000 2-7 Lowball Championship but finished in sixth place. Doyle retired from professional poker with an estimated net worth of around $75 million. He also continues to play NBA games in Las Vegas to this day.

Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu, a well-known poker player from Canada, is 48 years old. Also known as Kid Poker, he is one of the most accomplished and recognizable poker players of the 20th century. He has won the World Poker Tour (WPT) finals twice and holds six poker bracelets.

Negreanu has made two appearances at WPT final tables and ranks third on the all-time list for live tournament earnings, with over $42 million in cashes. In 2014, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, and in 2018, he joined the all-time WSOP money list.

His other significant poker achievements include:

• 2004: WSOP Player of the Year
• 2004: WPT Player of the Year
• 2001: Highest finish in the WSOP Main Event
• 2015: Highest finish in the WSOP Main Event

In the 2000s, Daniel Negreanu also pioneered the "small ball" strategy, which involved playing poker with smaller bets. Over his career, which spans more than 20 years, the Canadian pro has cashed in 108 events and holds 9th place for the most final table appearances in WPT events.

Stu Ungar

Although Stu Unger passed away in a hotel room on November 23, 1998, at the age of 45, his legacy in poker endures. His career began in the late 1970s, and from the start, he was considered one of the top players, frequently winning major poker events.

In 1980, he won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) title. He followed that victory with another the following year and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2001.

Known as "The Comeback Kid" by many in the poker community due to his youthful talent, Stu is often regarded as the greatest Hold'em player in history. He and Johny Chan are the only two players to have won the WSOP Main Event three times, though Stu's highest WSOP money finish is 15th. His career concluded with an impressive $3.7 million in earnings and five bracelets.

Conclusion

Playing and winning at poker can be simple if you take the time to master the basics. The achievements of famous poker players serve as an inspiration to many and demonstrate that anyone can learn and succeed in World Series of Poker events. While the game is primarily male-dominated, women have also proven themselves in numerous global tournaments. If you're curious about who the best female poker player of all time is, her name is Vanessa Selbst. Kathy Liebert comes in a close second, and both are from the United States. Together, their total winnings exceed $15 million.