Poker has a large and growing fan base around the world. While most play for fun, there are professional players who make a living from playing poker. In fact, some of the most successful poker players have become very wealthy due to the large prizes involved at prestigious tournaments. Join us below as we present some of the world’s most famous poker players.
Daniel Negreanu, Canada
Toronto-born Daniel Negreanu ranks today among the best poker players in the world. A son of Romanian immigrants, Negreanu struggled in his childhood to fit in and reportedly had issues to follow rules in school. However, he quickly discovered a talent in poker that eventually became his life passion.
Known for his steel nerves and impressive skills, the Canadian star has accumulated over $32m in live earnings. His career winnings include 6 WSOP bracelets, 2 WPT wins. In 2004, the Card Player Magazine appointed “Kid Poker” Negreanu the player of the year. The Canadian has said he loves high-stake games and that he can play poker online as well as take part in physical land-based tournaments successfully.
Bryan Kenney, USA
The American player Bryan Kenney is without any doubt one of the most successful poker icons in the world with accumulated earnings of more than $56.4 million. The 37-year-old Kenney’s impressive career successes include one World of Series of Poker bracelet and no less than 43 finishes in the European Poker Tour. In 2019, he won an impressive $7,200,000 from three seven-figure cashes at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Montenegro. Despite all the success, Kenney was in 2022 forced to respond to accusations of alleged cheating made by a former member of his online poker team.
Justin Bonomo, USA
Any serious list with the best poker players must include Justin Bonomo who is based in the world casino capital Las Vegas. Bonomo’s incredible career has accumulated a staggering $63 million in earnings. This places him among the wealthiest poker players of all times. The 38-year-old American has already won 3 bracelets and noted no fewer than 55 money finishes in the World Series of Poker. In 2018, he won a staggering $10 million in the World of Series $1 million Big One for One Drop competition.
However, Bonomo’s career has not been without controversy. In 2006, he was banned from two poker sites after it was discovered that he was using several accounts in a large online poker competition. He was forced to give up tens of thousands of dollars.
Philip Hellmuth, USA
Philip Hellmuth is a living legend within the world of poker and a famous personality. The 60-year-old American’s career includes a whopping 17 bracelets in the famous World Series of Poker. 14 of these bracelet wins were in Texas hold’em. In addition, he has also noted over 200 money finishes in the prestigious competition.
Being active at the time when the prizes were lower than today, Hellmuth has nevertheless earned a respectable $29,000,000 from his live poker tournament victories. In 2007, he became the inductee of the World Series of Poker’s Poker Hall of Fame. Known as the “Poker Brat” Hellmuth is known for his temper. In 2008, he was penalized for verbally insulting his opponent Cristian Dragomir at the WSOP Main Event. With his impressive achievements it is no wonder that Hellmuth is ranked as one of the best poker players of all time and a source of inspiration for younger players.
Stephen Chidwick, United Kingdom
North Americans are not the only people with poker talents. Stephen Chidwick from England has emerged as one of the world’s most successful poker players. In 2019, the English player won a bracelet at the World Series of Poker and over $1,6 million with $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha High Roller. He has also noted 12 money finishes at the European Poker Tour. Chidwick who has relocated to the sunny Palya del Carmen in Mexico, has accumulated more than $54 million in career earnings. In addition to his coveted World Series of Poker bracelet, Chidwick has also achieved more than 30 first place cashes at leading international competitions.
Fedor Holz, Germany
The German player Fedor Holz is one of the best European poker players. Holz who currently resides in the Austrian capita Vienna, has won 2 bracelets at the World Series of Poker. In addition, he has noted 5 final tables and 16 money finishes. He earned almost $ 5 million for his WSOP bracelet victory in 2016. Holz ranks as the most successful German poker player of all times with life tournament warnings surpassing $40 million.
Conclusion
Poker has become one of the most popular casino games. The best poker players have become very affluent individuals. Some of the game’s biggest stars include Daniel Negreanu, Bryan Kenney, Justin Bonomo, Stephen Chidwick, Philip Hellmuth and Fedor Holz.
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