Renowned Poker Legends and Their Stories

In recent decades, poker has evolved from just a hobby to becoming a popular global activity both offline and online. For a select few, it's more than just a game—it's a career, or at the very least, a lucrative side hustle. But make no mistake, earning a living through poker demands exceptional skill, psychological resilience, and unwavering endurance, no matter the stakes.

Aiming to be the next big sensation in poker? Let us introduce you to the most celebrated poker personalities the game has ever seen. We spotlight poker pros famous for their dynamic presence and landmark achievements alongside those who consistently endure the grind. Here's our exclusive list of 20 iconic poker figures you should know.

Daniel Negreanu

Notable among the poker elite is Canadian Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu, whose exceptional talents have secured him a spot as seventh on the all-time money list for live poker, marking him as the leading Canadian in poker history.

With six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets to his name, Negreanu is a veteran force at the WSOP, boasting 250 cash finishes and 57 final table appearances. He also proudly holds two World Poker Tour (WPT) titles.

Negreanu isn't just about winning bracelets. He's tackled intense poker face-offs with the likes of Doug Polk and Phil Hellmuth in thrilling 'High Stakes Duels.' Over the years, he's been a prominent ambassador for both PokerStars and now GGPoker.

Phil Ivey

Known as the 'Tiger Woods of Poker,' Phil Ivey stands among the most decorated and skilled in poker history. His journey from besting colleagues in New Jersey’s telemarketing ring to clinching his first WSOP bracelet in a 2000 Pot Limit Omaha event is legendary.

Ivey’s trophy cabinet is packed with 11 WSOP bracelets, accompanied by 36 final tables and 82 cash achievements. Many believe this poker maestro, who is known for his ice-cold composure, could be the future WSOP Main Event champion. Notably, he secured seventh in the 2009 Main Event, nearly outlasting thousands.

With a nearly $46 million haul, Ivey is inching closer to the top of the all-time live earnings leaderboard.

Phil Hellmuth

The ever-colorful 'Poker Brat,' Phil Hellmuth, reigns supreme at the WSOP, holding an unrivaled collection of 17 bracelets. His first hallmark win was in 1989, setting him as the youngest champion until 2008's Main Event victor, Peter Eastgate.

Hellmuth excels in Texas Hold'em, with accolades in other variants like 2-7 Lowball and H.O.R.S.E., demonstrating his adaptability. Though ranked 25th in total live tournament winnings, his appearances in high-stake cash games are legendary. th Hellmuth’s fiery temperament earns the 'Poker Brat' moniker, often erupting during challenges from inferior hands.

Referred to as 'The Godfather of Poker,' Doyle Brunson is a quintessential pioneer of Texas Hold'Em. Alongside peers like Amarillo Slim, Brunson was there from poker's inception, attending the very first WSOP Main Event in 1970. His victories at the 1976 and 1977 Main Events, and a total of 10 WSOP bracelets, are etched in poker lore.

Doyle Brunson

Brunson generated over $6 million from live tournaments over his life, a remarkable feat given much of these winnings came before the early 2000s 'poker boom.'

Despite a lifetime in poker, Brunson embraced the competition from younger players post-poker boom, securing his last WSOP bracelet in 2005 during a Short Handed No Limit Hold’em showdown.

Justin Bonomo is hailed as one of the highest in live poker revenues, presently occupying second on the all-time money list with a massive over $64 million.

Justin Bonomo

Bonomo’s crowning achievement came at the 2018 WSOP when he conquered The Big One for One Drop event, pocketing a cool $10 million. This marked his third WSOP bracelet after prior victories in 2009 and 2014 No Limit Hold’em.

His biggest win came at the 49 th After his WSOP triumph, Bonomo became a regular figure in elite High Roller events across continents, securing two hefty wins during the Triton Poker Series in London.

Following Bonomo in prestige, Bryn Kenney has claimed the top spot on the all-time money list. Once a master of Magic: The Gathering, Kenney transitioned to poker, bagging his first significant WSOP cash in 2010, and never looked back.

Bryn Kenney

Kenney made a mark in 2010 during the WSOP Main Event with ten final tables over the years.

He finished 28 th Kenney is predominantly tied to the Triton Poker Super High Roller series since 2016, appearing in no less than nine million-dollar wins, notably scoring over $20.5 million for a second-place finish at the 2019 Triton Million for Charity event.

From the UK, Stephen Chidwick is recognized as one of today's sharpest poker minds. Highly regarded among peers, Chidwick ranks third in all-time poker earnings, with an impressive nearly $59 million to his name—making him the top-earning English player, besting contemporaries like Ben Heath and Sam Trickett.

Stephen Chidwick

A proud owner of a WSOP bracelet from a 2019 Pot Limit Omaha triumph, Chidwick’s record also includes 53 cashes and 13 final tables, showcasing durability.

Noteworthy was Chidwick’s Triton Million for Charity appearance, where he quadrupled his entry fee, earning $5.3 million by finishing fourth behind Kenney.

The trailblazing Vanessa Selbst stands as the sole woman with three WSOP bracelets. Her nearly $12 million in live earnings crown her the highest-grossing female poker player.

Vanessa Selbst

An academic prodigy, Selbst studied at MIT and Yale, collecting over 21 six-figure tournament prizes.

The height of Selbst’s earnings came from the 2010 Partouche Poker Tour, taking home $1.8 million. She further dominated North American Poker Tour Main Events and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA).

In 2018, Selbst stepped back from professional poker to embark on a new hedge fund career, while occasionally participating in World Poker Tour events.

Stu Ungar, dubbed the 'Comeback Kid,' revolutionized the poker world with his triple WSOP Main Event wins. Ungar, a regular at both the WSOP Main Event and the Super Bowl of Poker, clinched both triennially.

Stu Ungar

Ungar ranks among elite legends, including Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, with consecutive WSOP Main Event wins.

With five WSOP bracelets under his belt and distinguished money finishes, Ungar’s 1997 comeback Main Event victory amid personal hardships underscores his resilience. This victory added another million to his illustrious career.

Tragically, Ungar passed away a year after his last Main Event triumph, with career earnings around $30 million.

Hailing from West Virginia, Jason Koon ventured into Texas Hold’em in 2006 while still in college, growing from an online poker staple to a $300,000 prize at the 2009 PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker.

Jason Koon

Since then, Koon has amassed 60 WSOP cashes, including nine final tables, alongside his WSOP bracelet from the 2021 Heads-Up No Limit Hold’em.

Koon's recent poker efforts focus on Triton Poker’s Super High Roller series, accruing numerous six-figure sums, and clinching $1.8 million at the 2023 WSOP Paradise Ultra High Roller in the Bahamas. His consistent prizes now rank him third in all-time money earnings.

Cowboy Dan, perhaps better known as Dan Smith, has climbed the all-time cash list with excellence, amassing $55 million in accumulated poker winnings.

Dan Smith

Smith achieved his highest payout during the 2019 Triton Poker Super High Roller series in London, settling for third place with $8.7 million at the Triton Million for Charity.

At the 2022 WSOP, Smith finally claimed his first WSOP bracelet in the Heads-Up Championship, shedding his title as the greatest bracelet-less poker talent.

Famed Norwegian player Annette Obrestad became a spotlight figure by securing the 2007 WSOP Europe Main Event title. Her signature icy demeanor and signature sunglasses left amateurs and pros bewildered as she claimed her historic title.

Annette Obrestad

Post-victory, Obrestad maintained her presence with nine WSOP cashes, including a top 100 finish at the 2013 Main Event and a spectacle at the European Poker Tour final table.

Top Poker Legends Worth Knowing About at Betsquare

Which poker personalities should be your guiding stars? We've curated a list of 20 poker legends who have left an indelible mark on the game's history. poker strategy .

Erik Seidel

Prominent Poker Luminaries You Ought to Know

/ Renowned Poker Icons You Should Be Familiar With

In the last twenty years or so, poker has skyrocketed to fame both in live settings and online as a beloved pastime. For some, it's more than just a hobby; it's a full-blown career or, at the very least, a significant income boost. Succeeding in poker is no easy task—it demands strategic prowess, ironclad mental resilience, and unwavering endurance, regardless of the stakes.

Johnny Chan

If you're dreaming of becoming poker's next breaking story, we're highlighting the best players who've shaped poker's past. From iconic personalities known for their quirks and singular victories to those whose dedication to the grind has made them legends, here’s a handpicked selection of 20 poker greats you need to know.

Canadian legend Daniel Negreanu belongs to an elite class of poker talent. Standing seventh on the All Time Money List, his earnings vividly narrate the tale of Canada's most triumphant poker figure.

With six WSOP bracelets in hand, Negreanu is an old hand at the WSOP tournaments, having cashed in 250 times and graced 57 final tables. His trophy cabinet also boasts two World Poker Tour titles.

Affectionately known as the 'Tiger Woods of Poker,' Phil Ivey is heralded as one of the most illustrious and skilful poker figures. He carved his initial poker skills in a New Jersey telemarketing firm in the '90s, moving swiftly to the big leagues by clinching his first WSOP bracelet in 2000 in a Pot Limit Omaha match.

His poker journey only soared from there, amassing 11 WSOP bracelets, numerous finals, and 82 WSOP money finishes. Ivey’s chess-like approach to the game and his imperturbable demeanor make him a formidable contestant for the WSOP Main Event crown, as evidenced by his close seventh-place at the 2009 grand fete.

With close to $46 million in live tournament winnings, Ivey is edging his way into the top echelons of the All Time Money List.

David Peters

Phil Hellmuth, branded as the 'Poker Brat,' reigns supreme at the WSOP arena. Holding an unrivalled 17 WSOP bracelets, he initially rose to prominence in 1989 as the youngest ever WSOP Main Event victor, a record he maintained until 2008 when Peter Eastgate clinched the title at just 22.

Hellmuth’s poker success shines brightest in Texas Hold'em, though he's no novice in variations like 2-7 Lowball, Omaha, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo and H.O.R.S.E. His strategic acumen has netted him role in some of the highest stakes cash games over decades.

Nicknamed 'The Poker Brat' due to his fiery temper, Hellmuth is known for his fiery reactions when Lady Luck isn’t on his side.

Mikita Bodyakovsky

Doyle Brunson, hailed as 'The Godfather of Poker,' helped shape the poker world alongside titans Amarillo Slim and Sailor Roberts. Present at the WSOP’s inception in 1970, his career shines with consecutive wins at the WSOP Main Event in '76 and '77, and a total of ten WSOP bracelets.

Brunson’s poker prowess earned him more than $6 million in live events – all before the 2000s poker boom.

Despite being a seasoned player, Brunson proved himself against the young blood of the poker boom era, achieving his last WSOP bracelet in the 2005 Short Handed No Limit Hold'em.

Antonio Esfandiari

Justin Bonomo is celebrated as one of the most prolific earners in live tournament poker history. Holding second place on the All Time Money List, Bonomo's winnings have surpassed $64 million.

In 2018, Bonomo tackled the WSOP Big One for One Drop, snagging a staggering $10 million, marking his third WSOP bracelet after earlier victories in 2009 and 2014 No Limit Hold’em events.

Bonomo's consistent presence at elite Super High Roller events across Asia and Europe has paid off, with two seven-figure wins at the Triton Poker Series showcased in London. th Following closely and leading the All-Time Money List, Bryn Kenney’s journey from elite Magic: The Gathering player to poker aficionado began with a standout 2010 WSOP cash, and his trajectory has been skyward ever since.

Victoria Coren-Mitchell

Beyond his initial WSOP achievements, Kenney's involvement in high-stakes circles, primarily the Triton Poker Super High Roller series, has been lucrative, delivering nine multimillion-dollar wins, seven within Triton events. His apex was marked in August 2019 at the extraordinary Triton Million for Charity event, with over $20.5 million for his runner-up finish.

Esteemed British player Stephen Chidwick has commanded respect and prestige among his peers as one of the sharpest minds at the poker table today. Positioned third on the All Time Money List, he stands as England’s highest-grossing player, with nearly $59 million trailing behind him.

Chip Reese

Chidwick claimed a WSOP bracelet in 2019, conquering a Pot Limit Omaha event, and boasts 53 cash-ins and 13 final table appearances at the WSOP, illustrating his robust poker consistency.

Chidwick’s momentous payday mirrored Kenney’s triumph in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity event, where he pocketed $5.3 million for his commendable fourth-place finish.

Trailblazing female poker pro Vanessa Selbst has etched an indelible legacy as the only woman to capture three WSOP bracelets, coupled with nearly $12 million in live tournament winnings, cementing her record as the top-earning female poker virtuoso.

The Bottom Line

A bright mind with academic accolades from MIT and Yale, Selbst’s strategic insight has scored her an impressive 21 six-figure tournament finishes.

Selbst’s most remarkable victory emerged in 2010 during the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event, where she secured a $1.8 million reward. master the game of Texas Hold’em Having stepped away from full-time poker in 2018 to explore a hedge fund career, Selbst occasionally dives into World Poker Tour competitions.