Poker is a widely loved card game that attracts millions of people from all over the world. It combines skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. Among the best poker players who have gained recognition, some stand out for their exceptional skills and impressive earnings.
In this article, we will present the top 10 poker players of 2025, considering their achievements and contributions to the game of poker.
Summary of Famous Poker Players
| Player Name | Age (as of 2025) | Nationality | Total Earnings (USD) | Biggest Win (USD) |
| Bryn Kenney | 38 | USA | $66.4 million | $20 million (2019) |
| Justin Bonomo | 39 | USA | $64 million | $10 million (2018) |
| Stephen Chidwick | 34 | England | $59.2 million | $3 million (2019) |
| Jason Koon | 38 | USA | $58 million | $3.6 million (2020) |
| Mikita Badziakouski | 31 | Belarus | $55.6 million | $3.5 million (2018) |
| Dan Smith | 35 | USA | $55 million | $2 million (2018) |
| Isaac Haxton | 39 | USA | $53 million | $1.5 million (2015) |
| Daniel Negreanu | 50 | Canada | $54.4 million | $10 million (2014) |
| Erik Seidel | 65 | USA | $41.9 million | $2.5 million (2011) |
| Phil Ivey | 47 | USA | $47.4 million | $8.5 million (2009) |
*The players are numbered in random order.
1. Bryn Kenney
Many consider Byan Kenney the greatest poker player ever. Bryn Kenney, born on November 1, 1986, in Long Beach, New York, is a well-known American poker player.
Before starting his poker career, he was a top-ranked player of Magic: The Gathering. At 21, he switched to poker and quickly became successful. By 2024, Kenney had won two World Series of Poker bracelets. He earned over $73 million in live poker tournaments, the most in history.
One of his greatest achievements was winning over $20 million in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity event. Notable achievements include winning a major event in the 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series and a title at the 2021 Poker Masters.
Kenney plays poker with an aggressive yet smart style. This helps him read his opponents and make good decisions under pressure.
2. Justin Bonomo
Justin Bonomo was born in Fairfax, Virginia, on September 30, 1985. He is a famous American poker player. Before starting poker, Justin competed in the game Magic: The Gathering. At 19, he became the youngest player to reach a televised final table at the European Poker Tour in 2005.
He has won three World Series of Poker bracelets and earned over $65 million in live tournaments. This makes him one of the highest-earning poker players ever. He is known for his smart and strategic playing style.
Although Bonomo’s career has been very successful, it has also had some problems. In the past, critics accused him of using multiple accounts in major online tournaments, which led some poker platforms to ban him.
His style has brought him success in many big poker tournaments around the world. He is highly ranked and makes a lot of money from online games and competitions.
3. Stephen Chidwick
Stephen Chidwick is a professional poker player from England. He was born on May 10, 1989, in Deal, Kent. He started playing poker at a young age and became known for his skill and hard work.
Chidwick is famous for his success in both cash games and tournaments. He has won over $59 million in live tournaments, making him one of the top poker players in the world. He also has a World Series of Poker bracelet, which shows his achievements in major events.
Stephen is known for his smart thinking and playing many poker types. He always works to get better at the game and is seen as one of the best players in poker. His hard work and success have inspired many poker fans and players.
4. Jason Koon
Jason Koon is a professional poker player from the United States. He was born on August 14, 1985, in Weston, West Virginia. Jason started playing poker while studying at university, and his interest grew quickly.
Koon is known for his success in high-stakes tournaments and cash games. He has won several major titles, including a World Series Poker bracelet. Over his career, he has earned over $40 million in live tournaments, making him one of the top players in poker history.
Jason is respected for his disciplined and aggressive playing style. Because of his hard work and professionalism, he is also seen as a role model for younger players. Many aspiring players study his games and even use the best software for poker to analyze hands and improve their strategy—just as professionals like Koon do. His achievements continue to inspire many in the poker world.
5. Mikita Badziakouski
Mikita Badziakouski is a professional poker player from Belarus. He was born on February 6, 1992. Mikita started playing poker in his early twenties and quickly became one of the top players in the world.
Mikita is known for his success in high-stakes tournaments and has earned over $40 million in live poker events. He has played in many of the biggest tournaments, including the Triton Poker Series, where he won several titles.
Players respect Mikita for his calm and focused style at the poker table. They also admire his dedication to the game and his ability to compete with the best. His achievements have made him a role model for many poker fans.
6. Dan Smith
Dan Smith is one of the great poker players from the United States. He was born on February 23, 1989, in Manalapan, New Jersey. Dan started playing poker in high school and quickly realized he had a talent for the game.
He is known for his success in high-stakes tournaments. Over his career, he has won more than $40 million in live poker events. Dan has earned many significant titles, such as a World Series Poker bracelet.
Smith is admired for his composed and thoughtful poker play. He also supports charitable organizations by giving some of his winnings to meaningful projects. His hard work and success have made him one of the most respected players in the poker community.
7. Isaac Haxton
Isaac Haxton is one of the best poker players from the United States. He was born on September 21, 1985, in New York. Isaac became interested in poker while studying computer science at Brown University. He started playing online poker and quickly showed great skill.
Haxton has achieved major success in both live and online poker tournaments, earning over $35 million in live events. Many consider him one of the best poker players in the world, and players admire his thoughtful decisions and smart gameplay.
He is also famous for playing in big tournaments and high-stakes cash games. His success and hard work continue to inspire many poker players.
8. Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is a famous professional poker player from Canada. He was born on July 26, 1974, in Toronto. As a child, he loved playing games and was intensely interested in numbers and strategy. He started playing poker as a teenager and quickly became very skilled.
Negreanu is known for his success in live poker tournaments. He has won six World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles. Over his career, he has earned more than $54,4 million in live tournaments, making him one of the top poker players in history.
Daniel is admired for his ability to read opponents and adapt his strategy during games. He is also active in the poker community, sharing tips and promoting the game. Many fans respect him for his friendly personality and dedication to poker.
9. Erik Seidel
Erik Seidel is a poker player from the United States. He was born on November 6, 1959, in New York City. Before poker, he worked on Wall Street as a professional backgammon player. Later, he began playing poker and became successful quickly.
Seidel is one of the most respected players in the poker world. He has won eight World Series of Poker bracelets. He has also earned over $40 million in live tournaments. This makes him one of the highest-earning players in poker history.
Erik is known for playing calmly and smartly. People respect him for staying consistent and playing high-stakes games for a long time.
10. Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey is one of the most famous poker players in the world. He was born in Riverside, California, on February 1, 1977, but grew up in New Jersey. He started playing poker as a teenager and quickly became skilled at the game.
Phil has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, making him one of the top players in poker history. His biggest single win was in 2012 when he earned over $2 million in the Aussie Millions $250,000 Challenge. Over his career, he has earned more than $30 million in live tournaments.
Phil is known for his calm and focused playing style. He is excellent at reading his opponents and making wise decisions under pressure. He also uses different strategies depending on the situation, which makes him very hard to predict.
Conclusion on World Best Poker Players
These ten players are considered the greatest poker players of all time. They all have big talent, work very hard, and play the game in their own special way. They are famous for their record wins and strong poker reputations. Their success, like winning WSOP bracelets and high-stakes tournaments, shows their skill. It also proves their adaptability in cash games.
FAQs About the Best Poker Players Ever
Many regard Daniel Negreanu as one of the best poker players in the world because he consistently wins tournaments and earns respect throughout the poker community. He is good at reading opponents and adapting to the game strategy.
Over his career, he has earned more than $54.4 million in live tournaments. His biggest single win was in 2014 when he won $10 million.
Due to his impressive achievements and successes, he is considered one of the top 10 poker players. He has secured three World Series of Poker bracelets and amassed more than $63 million in live tournament earnings.
Bryn Kenney holds the top spot, earning over $73 million in live tournaments. Justin Bonomo is second with over $65 million.
Stephen Chidwick is the UK’s best player based on live poker tournament earnings. He also holds a World Series of Poker bracelet, demonstrating his status.