Top 10 Best Poker Players Ranked by Career Winnings

Who Are the Best Poker Players in the World?

Since the poker boom, fans have debated who deserves the title of the world's best. While skill is subjective, live tournament earnings provide a concrete measure of success. Today's professional poker players battle in high-stakes tournaments globally, and the results are staggering. This list ranks the top 10 highest-earning poker players who have dominated the felt and amassed fortunes.

10. Mikita Bodyakovsky (“fish2013”)

Kicking off our list is Mikita Bodyakovsky, Belarus's most successful poker pro. A former chess player, Bodyakovsky transitioned his strategic mind to poker, initially finding massive success online under the alias “fish2013.” He later shifted his focus to the live high roller circuit around 2016 and quickly became a dominant force. Bodyakovsky is especially feared in the Triton Super High Roller Series, where he has captured multiple titles.

9. Phil Ivey (“No Home Jerome”)

A true icon of the game, Phil Ivey is one of the most famous poker players on the planet. Often called the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” his intimidating table presence and mastery of all poker variants have made him a legend. With 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets in six different formats, his versatility is unmatched. For many, he remains the undisputed greatest of all time, regardless of his position on the money list.

8. Dan Smith (“Cowboy Dan”)

Dan Smith is another elite player who swapped the chessboard for the poker table. Since dedicating himself to the game in 2007, he has become one of the most respected and consistent performers on the high roller circuit. Smith's career is filled with seven-figure scores, but his largest came from a third-place finish in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity event, where he won an incredible $8,765,628.

7. Jason Koon (“JAKoon1985”)

Jason Koon is a powerhouse known for his physical presence and elite poker mind. After starting online in 2006, he transitioned to live tournaments and eventually became a fixture in the super high roller scene. Koon is a master of both No-Limit Hold'em and Short Deck, with his two biggest cashes coming from the latter format. His relentless work ethic and dedication make him one of the world's best poker players.

6. David Peters (“Silent Assassin”)

Inspired by the 2003 Moneymaker boom, David Peters began his journey playing online freerolls. Today, he is known for his remarkable consistency and quiet demeanor at the table, earning him the nickname “Silent Assassin.” A four-time WSOP bracelet winner, Peters has recorded over $2.9 million in earnings almost every year since 2015, a testament to his enduring skill at the highest levels.

5. Erik Seidel (“Seiborg”)

Erik Seidel is a poker legend whose career spans decades. A former backgammon pro, he burst onto the scene with a runner-up finish in the 1988 WSOP Main Event. Since then, he has amassed an incredible nine WSOP bracelets across multiple formats, proving his ability to adapt and thrive through different eras of the game. His longevity and sustained success place him in the elite pantheon of poker greats.

4. Stephen Chidwick (“stevie444”)

Regarded by his peers as one of the toughest opponents in the world, Stephen Chidwick is a British poker phenom. He honed his skills online as “Stevie444” before transitioning to the live circuit, where he now dominates the high roller scene. In 2019, he captured his first WSOP bracelet in the $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha High Roller, cementing his status as one of the best all-around professional poker players today.

3. Daniel Negreanu (“Kid Poker”)

Arguably the most recognizable face in poker, Daniel Negreanu has been a top player and ambassador for the game for over two decades. He earned the nickname “Kid Poker” after becoming the youngest WSOP bracelet winner of his time in 1998. With six bracelets, multiple Player of the Year titles, and an induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014, Negreanu's legacy is firmly secured.

2. Justin Bonomo (“ZeeJustin”)

Justin Bonomo long held the top spot on the all-time money list thanks to one of the most incredible years in poker history. In 2018, he went on an unprecedented heater, winning 10 tournaments and over $24 million. The highlight was his victory in the $1 Million Big One for One Drop at the WSOP, which earned him a $10 million payday and cemented his place among the best poker players ever.

1. Bryn Kenney

Sitting atop the poker world is Bryn Kenney, the highest-earning tournament player of all time. The New Yorker has been a force on the circuit since 2014, but one event launched him into the stratosphere. In 2019, he finished as the runner-up in the £1,050,000 Triton Million for Charity event. Thanks to a deal made at heads-up play, he walked away with a staggering $20,563,324, the largest single prize in poker history.

Beyond Tournaments: The Cash Game Kings

Ranking by tournament winnings doesn't tell the whole story. Some of the world's most feared players dominate in high-stakes online and live cash games, where earnings are not publicly tracked. Here are a few poker legends known for crushing the toughest cash games.

Linus Loeliger (“LLinusLLove”)

The Swiss pro is a 6-max online cash game specialist who rose from the micro-stakes to battle at the highest limits. He has won millions on PokerStars alone and is considered one of the best technical players in the game today.

Timofey Kuznetsov (“Trueteller”)

Kuznetsov is a Russian phenom who excels in both No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games. Known for his creative and aggressive style, “Trueteller” has been a consistent winner in the biggest online games for over a decade.

Wiktor Malinowski (“limitless”)

A former professional handball player, Malinowski is famous for his fearless approach and willingness to play anyone heads-up for any amount. He is a dominant force in high-stakes cash games and has also found success in super high roller tournaments.