Best Poker Players of All Time

Poker is an enjoyable card game that many gamers love. It usually involves gamers placing bets on the person with the best hand (group of cards held). You can play different types of the card game after going through the effortless and seamless Syndicate Casino Login process. While there are different rules for various game variants, it usually uses a standard 52-deck card. The number of cards players use will depend on the game type, and the cards' value will also depend on the game's rules. Since the game's inception, a few gamers have shown prowess when playing this card game. The article will introduce you to some of the best poker players to have walked the face of the earth.
Phil Ivey
A list of the best poker players would not be complete without Phil Ivey. Many know him as the "Tiger Woods" of the card game. Born in 1977, Ivey has won almost everything to be won in the game, including 10 WSOP bracelets, numerous high roller titles, and the WPT main event. He has pocketed millions of dollars playing cash games in his career, competing in high-stakes tables in places like Ivey's Room and Bobby's Room. His tournament winnings are estimated to be around $38 million. Ivey is recognised as one of the most proficient gamblers and an expert who finds value in different situations.
Justin Bonomo
Based on tournament results, Justin Bonomo is one of the world's biggest poker players. He has an impressive record that includes:
- An array of WSOP bracelets;
- EPT honours;
- Triton titles.
If there has been any tournament title up, Bonomo has probably won it. He has also won a lot of money in his gaming career. One of the most enormous cash rewards was more than $10 million in 2018 at the Big One for One Drop. As of 2023, it is on the records that he has walked away with over $60 million since he started competing constantly. Most people do not know that Justin did not begin participating in live tournaments. He swiftly created a name online under the moniker ZeeJustin. During this period, Bonomo won all major MTT on Full Tilt and PokerStars. He attributes his success primarily to dominating the high roller circuit, where he has scored many victories in different events.
Phill Hellmuth
One of the most polarised gamers, Phill Hellmuth, is loved and hated equally. Despite what many may feel about him, Hellmuth has dominated the card game's most prestigious event, AKA "The World Series of Poker." He has an impressive 15 WSOP bracelets many professionals can only dream of achieving. Hellmuth also holds an impeccable record for the highest number of cashes in bracelet events (over 160). A University of Wisconsin graduate, Phill also has the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship 2005 title under his belt. He has also won over $24 million in live tournament competitions and continues participating competitively to earn more money.
Daniel Negreanu
Possibly the most famous poker player today, Daniel Negreanu, moved to Vegas at a tender age to pursue his dream life of playing card games. He was nicknamed "kid poker" because he played high-stakes games at a very young age. Despite growing up and becoming mature, he still goes by that name. Born in Canada but of Romanian descent, he first built his career playing Limit Hold 'em Cash games up to the highest possible stakes. Negreanu also got involved in mixed competitions long before PLO and NLH dominated the Las Vegas tournaments. An "old guard" member, he has won more than $50 million in tournaments. In addition to earning 6 WSOP bracelets and 2 WPT titles, Negreanu frequently shows up for the WSOP, hoping to gain more titles.
Bryn Kenney
Also known as BKD, Bryn Kenney has earned his position as a top poker player thanks to his ability, consistency, and willingness to adapt to new formats and player types. He is one of the gamers who can play top-level at different card games. Professionals consider him a beast, especially when it comes to cash tournaments. He has managed to rack up almost $60 million in prize money since he started competing for cash in 2007. Like many successful experts in the game, he started off as a gamer before he discovered he was great at the card game. Kenney constantly harnessed his skills, finding new ways to win. It worked out well for him because his name is expected on the list of the best players.
What It Takes to Become a Celebrated Poker Player
Appearing on the list of the top poker players like the ones above is no easy feat. It takes a lot of hard work and mastering the game to win tournaments and earn millions to be recognised as one of the greatest. Some experts advise gamers to combine practice, study, and becoming business savvy to become professionals in the sport. It also helps to learn from the best, as it can help improve your gaming skills. Some gamers also advise aspiring players to try different variants to identify the one they are the best in.