The Intriguing World of Professional Poker Players

Poker is a high-stakes game that attracts those with strong stomachs and keen minds, as some of its top players have amassed massive fortunes playing both live and online tournaments.

Although there have been many great players throughout history, this article focuses on 10 of the greatest poker players from today.

Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu is one of the best-known faces in poker. He’s appeared on every major TV show dedicated to poker and is a frequent Twitter user; in total he holds six WSOP bracelets as well as multiple WPT final tables.

Negreanu was born to parents from Romania in Toronto and discovered his passion for gambling, pool hustling and poker as a teenager. After dropping out of high school due to being one art credit short, he supplemented his bankroll by playing pool in various halls and charity casinos across Canada and USA. Committed to improving his game, Negreanu dedicates 20% of his time studying poker while writing books and contributing regularly on online blogs.

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey has established himself as one of the greatest poker players ever. With multiple tournament victories under his belt and induction into the Poker Hall of Fame, as well as many other prestigious awards.

Hendon Mob estimates that Ivey has amassed over $19 Million in live tournament winnings alone. Additionally, his other lucrative business interests make for lucrative returns.

Poker is one of the most mentally challenging games you can play; one must always remain aware of opponents, their strategies and progressions, as well as learn to recognize tells from them.

Vanessa Selbst

Vanessa Selbst sent shockwaves through the poker world when she announced her retirement in 2018. As one of the premier female poker players ever with over $11.8 Million won at live tournaments alone, Vanessa’s retirement came as an unexpected blow.

New York native and poker prodigy Annette Bening discovered poker as a teenager and began playing home games with family and friends. Thanks to her intellect, knowledge of mathematics, and keen intuition she quickly rose through the ranks to the top tiers.

She holds the distinction of winning consecutive North American Poker Tour Main Events, while her biggest payout came when she took down the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event for $450,000 in 2010. Additionally, she holds three WSOP bracelets – making her one of only a few women to have done so at open events.

Jason Koon

Poker has given birth to some incredible players, who have accomplished remarkable feats. From appearing on television shows such as “American Idol” and winning millions in live tournaments, these poker stars have elevated the sport.

Koon began poker as an athletic pursuit at school, using his naturally competitive nature to excel at it. Initially he excelled at home games before quickly graduating to larger tournaments.

Since joining Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in 2022, he has become a dominant force and was honored with Ivan Leow Player of the Year Award in 2022. However, his humbleness remains undiminished;

Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel began trading Wall Street before discovering poker tournaments. Since March 2022, his live tournament winnings total $39 Million; placing him fourth on the All-Time Money List behind Daniel Negreanu, Bryn Kenney, and Justin Bonomo.

He’s won nine World Series of Poker bracelets and a World Poker Tour title, including EPT Grand Final EUR100,000 Super High Roller for $2 Million in 2015. A patient player, he always pays close attention to his opponents before adapting his strategy accordingly.

Seidel clearly embodies this by playing every day without taking time off for vacation. He never misses an appointment or fails to keep promises.

Kristen Bicknell

Kristen Bicknell is one of the most intriguing poker players around. After dominating on virtual felt tournaments for years, she transitioned into live tournaments and quickly found great success as a live tournament competitor.

She currently represents partypoker and regularly competes in high roller tournaments, most notably as Alex Foxen is two-time Global Poker Index Player of the Year. But she’s more than just his sidekick;

Bicknell first began playing poker back in 2006, inspired by Jennifer Harman on Poker After Dark. Soon thereafter she started grinding low-stakes cash games until eventually attaining Supernova Elite status on PokerStars.