Best Poker Players of All Time

There have been many great poker players over the years. Some have achieved legendary status, while others have made a fortune at the table.

And here is our list of the 10 best poker players of all time.

  1. Phil Ivey
  2. Daniel Negreanu
  3. Antonio Esfandiari
  4. Erik Seidel
  5. Jamie Gold
  6. Chris Moneymaker
  7. Doyle Brunson
  8. Johnny Chan
  9. Phil Hellmuth
  10. Howard Lederer

1.  Phil Ivey 

Best Poker Players of all Time

With a legendary status, Phil Ivey is the first on our list. 

Ivey, who started playing poker at the very young age of 8, became a professional poker player at 20. He has been playing professionally since 1998 and continues to dominate today. He is a ten-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner (also the youngest to win 10 bracelets) and also has two European Poker Tour (EPT) titles. 

He is best known for his aggressive style of play and incredible consistency. He is also one of the best at reading opponents (if you are interested, here are his top 5 reads). 

2. Daniel Negreanu 

Best Poker Players of all Time

The next one on our list is Daniel Negreanu. He is a six-time WSOP bracelet winner with 3rd ranking in live tournament earnings, with over $49.7 million in winnings. Negreanu is considered by many to be one of the best “young guns” in the game today, and his skills are sure to take him even further. 

Negreanu is best known for his live play, as he has won two World Poker Tour (WPT) titles. He’s also famous for his ability to read opponents’ hands and make the best possible decisions. 

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3. Antonio Esfandiari 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Antonio Esfandiari with the biggest One for One Drop win in 2012 (he won 18.3 million), is the next on our list. He is also a three-time WSOP bracelet winner and has over $27.8 million in career earnings. 

His creativity and aggressive style of play have secured his poker legend status. Esfandiari is also a master at psychological warfare, which often throws his opponents off their game. 

4. Erik Seidel

Best Poker Players of all Time

A long-time professional poker player, Erik Seidel is an eight-time WSOP bracelet winner. He has also won two World Poker Tour (WPT)  titles, and he is considered by many to be the best “money player” in the world. Seidel has over $27 million in career earnings, making him one of the richest poker players in history.

Seidel’s patience and discipline at the table are what make him one of the best poker players. He is a master among Texas Hold’em players, and he specializes in no-limit hold’em. Moreover, he is one of the best players in the world when it comes to short-handed play. 

See more: Best Poker Movies

5. Jamie Gold 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Jamie Gold made headlines back in 2006 when he won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. He bested a field of over 8000 poker players and took home the first-place prize! Gold is best known for his skills, but he also has some impressive live tournament earnings.

Aside from being a cash-game specialist, Gold is also very successful in tournaments. He has over $13 million in career earnings, making him one of the best poker pro players in the world. He is known for his aggressive style and propensity to gamble. 

6. Chris Moneymaker 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Chris Moneymaker was an accountant before becoming one of the top poker players in the world! In 2003, he won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and bested a field of over 800 players. 

He took home the first-place prize, making him one of the richest poker players in history. Famous for being one of the best bluffers in the world, Moneymaker is extremely difficult to beat at poker!

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7. Doyle Brunson 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Doyle Brunson is a true poker legend. He is a ten-time WSOP bracelet winner and two-time World Poker Tour (WPT)  champion. Brunson has over $11 million in career earnings, making him one of the richest and most successful players in history. He is also considered by many to be the best “money player” of all time.

Brunson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979 and remains one of the best poker players to ever play the game!

8. Johnny Chan 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Another true poker champion, Johnny Chan is a ten-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner. He has also won one  World Poker Tour (WPT) title and two European Poker Tour (EPT) titles! His skills are impressive,  but what’s even more impressive is his $32 million in career earnings. Chan is a true poker icon and one of the best players of all time.

What really sets Johnny apart from other poker players is his ability to read opponents. His skills are so impressive that he was even able to beat two other poker legends in the 1988 WSOP Main Event!

9. Phil Hellmuth 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Phil Hellmuth is best known for being one of the most successful “heads-up” players in the world. He is a fourteen-time  WSOP bracelet winner and has over $20 million in career earnings. Hellmuth is also a two-time World Poker Tour (WPT)  champion, and he is considered by many to be the greatest poker player.

Hellmuth is best known for his skills, but his poker background includes some impressive live tournament earnings. His best result was his win at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event back in 1989.

Read more: What is a Poker Face?

10. Howard Lederer 

Best Poker Players of all Time

Howard Lederer is best known as one of the co-founders of the online poker site, PokerStars. He is also a two-time WSOP bracelet winner and has over $11 million in career earnings. Lederer is considered by many to be one of the best “no limit” players in the world, and his skills have earned him some of the best poker player rankings.

What makes Lederer stand out from the crowd is his incredible ability to control the table. He is able to manipulate the action and keep opponents guessing at all times!

Wrapping up

There you have it – the ten best poker players of all time! These players are some of the best in the business and their skills have earned them a place among the legends of the game. So, next time you’re playing poker, be sure to give these guys a run for their money! 

FAQ

Who are the best poker players of all time?

Aside from the famous names on our list, other players worth mentioning are Justin Bonomo, Dan Smith, and Stu Ungar.

Who has the most poker bracelets?

Phil Hellmuth takes the crown as the most decorated poker player, having earned a total of 16 WSOP bracelets.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Toni always had an appetite for learning new things and random facts about almost everything, which is why when he got offered the job to work as a content writer he took it without hesitation. Writing daily took his love for words and research to a whole new level, and made him realize that this is a career he would love to pursue. Although he spends most of his time researching his next piece, you can also find him on the football court, in the gym, or at home with a book in his hand.

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