Top 10 Greatest Poker Players Of All Time You Must Know

Mostly in many other sports, naming the top players of all time in professional poker can be tricky. Because of the nature of the game, it could be tough to tell what makes a poker player great.

They can be ranked based on their winnings, but we believe the amount of money they make is not the only thing that categorizes a good poker player.

So here is a list of the best poker players based on our own beliefs. We have considered their style of play, personality, achievements, and of course popularity. Here are the 10 greatest poker players of all time.

1. Johnny Moss – Grandfather of Poker

Having called the Grandfather of Poker is something offbeat and significant. Johnny Moss was a Texas roadside gambler, and his cash winnings cannot be determined. He is one of the 10 greatest poker players of all time.

But as a professional poker player, he has 9 WSOP bracelets, 3 Main Event titles, and $1.25 Million under his belt in tournament winnings. He died in 1995, at age 88. He is known as a great competitor by the game’s forerunners and his contemporaries.

2. Phil Hellmuth – The Poker Brat

Now comes the Poker Brat. Phil Hellmuth is among the biggest names in the game today. He is also known as one of the strongest players with a brilliant knowledge and understanding of poker.

He earned about $23 Million in earnings from 15 World Series of Poker bracelets, so you cannot deny that he has great skill. He also won the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas in 1989 and Europe in 2012. Although, he has yet to add his name to the Champions Cup. Hellmuth is eyeing to win a WPT title shortly.

3. Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly

Coming to Doyle Brunson who stood against the test of time. He is now 87 years old, and he has played professional poker for over 50 years.

In his long epic career, he has collected plenty of wins in his pocket, most remarkably his 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, including the Main Event in both 1976 and 1977. He also reached a WSOP final table at age 84 and has the record of the oldest winner of a Poker Tour event at age 71 back in 2004.

He is considered one of the most designated poker players in history. He has a career tournament earnings of $6.2 Million. Brunson’s greatness is in his instinct, natural feel for the game, and his experience of seeing thousands of hands in all these years.

4. Daniel Negreanu – Kid Poker

Daniel Negreanu, also known as “Kid Poker” as his fans call him, had been in the scene before the 2000s. At the moment he holds the record for the biggest live tournament poker winner of all time.

Not only that, but he is also the first person to be named player of the year by the WSOP twice. He has six WSOP bracelets, 2 WPT titles, and about $33 Million in tournament earnings. All these makeup for Negreanu’s current feats, and he is not stopping anytime soon and still counting.

5. Daniel Colman – Mrgr33n13

He may not have the titles yet, but Daniel Colman has already accumulated more than $29 Million in earnings. At only 30 years old, he has managed to win a WSOP bracelet but has yet to get a WPT title for his name.

Colman managed to kick Daniel Negreanu, the Kid Poker, out of the competition on The Big One for One Drop, winning over $15.3 Million. He mainly plays online poker and is known as “mrGR33N13.” We could expect Colman to bring more to the table in the next few years.

6. Justin Bonomo – Zeejustin

With $44.6 Million of winnings, ZeeJustin is also one of the top earners in the game. At only 34 years old, Justin Bonomo’s dominance in the world of poker seems to be just kick-starting.

He has clinched 18 major tournaments starting only in 2016. His most notable wins include taking the $1 Million Big One for One Drop at the WSOP for $10 Million. He succeeds against the top players in the world because of his keen game sense and intellect.

7. Phil Ivey – Tiger Woods Of Poker

Despite accusations of cheating, Phil Ivey remains to be at the top of the poker world. He was the hottest young player back in the early 2000s, winning his first WSOP bracelet at age 23 and three more in one summer last 2002.

His live tournament winnings amount to more than $26 Million. Whatever people may think about the issues surrounding this man, he has 10 WSOP bracelets, a WPT title, and respect and admiration among his peers.

8. Bryn Kenney – Mega Crusher

He will be number 1 on the all-time money list. Bryn Kenney has over $56 Million in live earnings, pushing him to the top spot. His skills make him a consistent finisher in the game.

Kenney grew up playing Magic: The Gathering card game then transitioned to poker in 2007, playing his first tournament. He continued to win bigger and bigger stakes over the years and ended up winning millions. In 2019, Kenney finished runner-up in a £1 Million Triton event with a $20.5 million payday.

9. Dan Smith – Cowboy Dan

He is also known as Cowboy Dan, who is one of the players who dropped out of college to pursue their poker careers. Needless to say, he made it worth it. Aside from his $33 Million in live tournament earnings and his skill and talent as a player, what sets him apart from other players is his charity work.

He created the Double Up Drive, which is a means for poker players to help those who are in need, and he has gathered a lot of support from his fellow players.

10. Fedor Holz – Crownupguy

He is one of the German poker sensations, who is among the top players in online poker who transitioned to live games and found even greater success.

By the year 2022, Holz has accumulated almost $33 Million in winnings and made it to the top of the poker scene. He is an analytical player who knows well about the risks of the game.

Conclusion

Selecting the greatest poker players involves considering various factors beyond winnings. In our top 10, Johnny Moss, the “Grandfather of Poker,” boasts 9 WSOP bracelets. Phil Hellmuth’s 15 bracelets and strategic brilliance secure his spot. Doyle Brunson’s enduring career, 10 bracelets, and record-breaking wins showcase his excellence.

Daniel Negreanu, “Kid Poker,” holds the record for the highest live tournament winnings. Daniel Colman, despite a shorter career, impresses with $29 Million and a WSOP bracelet.

Justin Bonomo’s recent dominance and $44.6 Million earnings solidify his presence. Phil Ivey, Bryn Kenney, Dan Smith, and Fedor Holz round out this elite list, each contributing uniquely to poker’s legacy.