Who are the most famous poker players ever? What are they known for in the world of gambling? Take a look at the ten most popular and successful poker superstars along with the reasons why they have entered poker history.
10 most famous poker players in history
There are many great poker players in the world but not all of them become legends. Here is our subjective list of the ten most influential players, who deserve to be called the best of the best in poker. All of them are famous poker players everyone in the world of poker knows about.
Daniel Negrenau
Daniel Negrenau from Canada is widely referred to as one of the most successful and famous poker players. He was even named the main poker player of the decade in 2014. Negreanu holds multiple poker records at the World Series of Poker, including the Player of the Year titles, 45 final tables at main bracelet-awarding locations, and so on. The “Kid Poker” is also known for being the most searched poker player on the Internet.
Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson devoted 50 years of his life to professional poker. He isn’t just a common successful player with multiple WSOP bracelets and other achievements, but a truly devoted poker expert. Brunson is an author of at least half a dozen books on poker, including Super/System. In addition, Doyle entered poker history as the first person to win $1 million in tournaments.
Phil Hellmuth
When it comes to the World Series of Poker, no one comes even close to Phil Hellmuth. He is a living legend of the main poker tournament. During his career, he won a record 16 WSOP bracelets, got the most-ever WSOP cashes (154), and reached the most final tables (64). In total, he won more than $26 million in poker tournaments, which makes him the 19th richest poker player.
Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey is one of the most successful poker players in the world. He won 10 WSOP bracelets, reached 9 World Poker Tour finals, and has a World Poker Tour title. Besides that, Ivey is included in the Poker Hall of Fame and owns more than $20 million in online winnings. These are just the main achievements that allowed Ivey to be in the top 5 of the most recognizable poker stars.
Johnny Moss
Johnny Moss is known as the winner of the very first WSOP which was held in 1970. This fact alone made him one of the biggest names on the list of famous poker players, but this isn’t it. Moss is one of just two players who managed to win multiple Main Events. Together with Stu Ungar, he holds the record of winning 3 WSOP Main Events. He also holds two other WSOP records and is included in the Poker Hall of Fame. As a cherry on top, Moss is the oldest player to win the Main Event at the age of 66.
Vanessa Selbst
Vanessa Selbst is widely regarded as the best female poker player of all time. During her long-lasting career, Selbst won more than $12 million in poker tournaments, including the WSOP. She owns three bracelets and is the only lady to ever reach the top of the Global Poker Index. Although she doesn’t play poker professionally anymore, she is easily one of the most famous poker players in the world.
Jennifer Harman
Another great female player is Jennifer Harman. Following the latest online poker news, she is one of only four women to win the WSOP bracelet. Harman has two but this isn’t her only achievement in poker. Jennifer starred in multiple poker TV shows and movies bringing the popularity of the game to new heights. She entered the Poker Hall of Fame as one of the most remarkable poker stars of the 2000s.
Chris Moneymaker
Chris Moneymaker may not be the most successful poker player, but everyone in the gambling world knows his name. He is a WSOP legend who made the tournament great again in 2003. Moneymaker was the first person to win the tournament after qualifying at an online poker site. He was the dark horse of the Main Event, who ended up winning $2.5 million. As a result, online poker became extremely popular and Moneymaker’s impact on it shouldn’t be underestimated.
Bryn Kenney
This American poker player is the topper of the all-time money-winner list. During his career, Bryn Kenney managed to win more than $55 million, which is an absolute record among all participants of poker tournaments. Despite this achievement, Kenney won just one World Series of Poker bracelet and reached 7 final tables. That’s why he is 9th on our list of most famous poker players.
Fedor Holz
Fedor Holz is the youngest poker player on this list. Although he is just 29, this German poker pro is one of the best online poker players. He was named the best online MTT player in 2014 and 2015. Holz is also a holder of two WSOP bracelets. As of today, his total winnings exceed $32 million which makes him one of the most successful poker players of all time.
