The Best Poker players of all time live to play poker. Poker is not their hobby but their lifestyle. Spending hundreds of hours playing live and online poker games, mastering bluffing and advanced poker strategies, and knowing when to fold a weak hand have made them poker masterminds.
In this article, I will take a sneak peek at the lives of 6+ of the most popular poker players who dominated the game, highlighting their achievements, the impact they had on the game, and the traits that made them so influential.
1. Bryn Kenney: #1 Poker Player All Time!
Before becoming a pro poker player, Bryn was a skillful, die-hard magician. Poker is not his only card game superpower! He was pretty talented in other card games before playing poker regularly in 2007.
Bryn is from Long Beach, New York, United States, and resides in his hometown. He is known for his aggressive playing style and exceptional bluffs. He is an icon in high-stakes poker tournaments like Triton Million, Triton Poker, and the WSOP main event. Kenney has amassed over $73 million in live tournament earnings, making him the highest-earning player in poker history and the first in the All Time Money List as of 2024. His ability to adapt to different formats—whether No-Limit Hold 'em or Pot-Limit Omaha—sets him apart from many of his peers.
If you ever watch him playing, your mind would be blown away because of the extent of his emotional and mind controls. Finding a poker tell in Bryn Kenny's gesture is nearly impossible.
Full Name |
Bryn Kenney |
Net Worth |
$75+ Million |
GPI |
105th |
Best Live Cash |
$20,563,324 |
2. Kristen Bicknell(Foxen): The Female Poker Ambassador!
Poker has been male-dominated, and female poker players have fought hard to get a seat at the most prestigious tables, such as WSOP tournaments. Kristen Bicknell, or as people know her by her husband's family, Foxen, is one of the most influential female poker players who happens to also be hot. She is known for her outstanding performance and accomplishments in the poker world.
Kristen is from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, but she lives in the US with her husband.
She is the first professional female poker player to win four WSOP gold bracelets. Poker is not her hobby or occupation. The game is part of who she is; it is her love language, as she falls in love with her husband, Alex Foxen, at a poker table. The couple is known for their outstanding poker achievements and the support they show for each other's career growth.
Her character, skills, and charisma make Kristen stand out as a poker player. She does not rely on her beauty to deceive her opponents at the table. Instead, she uses advanced bluffing, value betting, and position-play skills to win the pots.
Full Name |
Kristen Bicknell |
Net Worth |
$30+ Million |
GPI |
69th |
Best Live Cash |
$600K |
3. Daniel Negreanu: The Lovely Poker Kid!
We cannot talk poker without mentioning the name of one of the most popular poker players of all time. Daniel Negreanu, or as people know him by his nickname, Kid Poker, is a Canadian poker player living in Vegas, USA. He is the first in popularity ranking. He has 7 WSOP and 2 WPT bracelets in his poker resume.
Daniel married twice. His first wife, Lori Lin Weber, came into the spotlight after marrying Negreanu in 2005. They divorced two years later, and she is now only known as Daniel Negreanu's ex-wife! His second wife, unlike the first one, is a celebrity. Amanda Leatherman is an American Actor with many accomplishments besides being Negreanue's wife!
Why do people love Daniel Negreanu so much? He is funny, charismatic, and plays poker like no other. He is a poker activist who is known for his tutorials and masterclasses. He is the best poker player in the world and a great teacher and author. His YouTube channel with near 1 Million subscribers is a gem for beginners who wish to learn how to play poker in real life.
Negreanu is known for his Loose-Aggressive poker style. In other words, he plays a large number of hands and bets or raises frequently, which puts pressure on opponents and forces them to make tough decisions.
While he has been a constant influence in the world of professional poker, he took a break from main events in 2013. In 2024, he made a big comeback, winning $50K in the Poker Players Championship (PPC), marking his seventh career bracelet.
Full Name |
Daniel Negreanu |
Nickname |
Kid Poker |
Net Worth |
$76+ Million |
GPI |
37th |
Best Live Cash |
$8,288,001 |
4. Liv Boeree: Sexy but Smart!
"A woman can be beautiful as well as intellectual." This is a quote from Audrey Hepburn, a renowned British actress and tireless advocate for children's rights. Liv is Audrey's doppelganger in terms of beauty, intelligence, and passion for breaking boundaries.
Liv Boeree was born in Hollingbourne, Kent, England, and studied Physics and Astrophysics. From her quiet life studying astrophysics to a dazzling career in poker, Liv Boeree's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. This British beauty is the only hot female poker player who won the European Poker Tour(WPT) and the prestigious World Series of Poker(WSOP) bracelets in a single year. But her talents and intelligence extend far beyond the poker table. A passionate philanthropist, Boeree co-founded Raising for Effective Giving, a charity dedicated to maximizing social impact. With her sharp intellect, stunning beauty, and philanthropic heart, Liv Boeree is a true inspiration, proving that brains and beauty can win big, both on and off the felt.
While Liv Boeree retired from professional poker in late 2019, she still ranks among the top ten women in poker history regarding all-time money winnings.
Full Name |
Liv Boeree |
Nickname |
Iron Maiden |
Net Worth |
$5.5 Million |
GPI |
63,793rd |
Best Live Cash |
$1,698,300 |
5. Stephen Chidwick: The Poker Prodigy!
Stephen Chidwick, another British poker talent, is a name synonymous with high-stakes poker dominance. He has etched his mark as one of the most successful pro poker players of the modern poker generation. Born in Deal, Kent, UK, Chidwick's journey from a young, aspiring player to a poker titan is nothing short of inspiring. His exceptional intelligence, strategic mindset, unwavering focus, relentless work, and astonishing emotional control have propelled him to the pinnacle of the professional poker world.
Chidwick's poker career is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. He has amassed millions of dollars in live tournament winnings, consistently outperforming his peers in high-stakes cash games and major tournaments. His ability to adapt to different game formats, advanced bluffing, read opponents, effective value betting, and make calculated decisions under pressure has made him a threat to his opponents at the poker tables. Beyond his poker achievements, Chidwick leads a relatively private life; he is not active on social media and prefers to keep his personal and love life private.
Full Name |
Stephen Chidwick |
Net Worth |
$65 Million |
GPI |
19th |
Best Live Cash |
$5,368,947 |
6. Mikita Badziakouski: The Rising Star of Poker!
Mikita Badziakouski is from Belarus and is a relatively new face in the world of poker. He is a name that echoes through the halls of high-stakes poker and is a testament to youthful brilliance. Mikita started to play live poker tournaments in 2010 and has been captivating the poker world with his extraordinary talent and strategic mindset ever since. He has won prestigious titles like the Super High Roller Bowl, WSOP, and WPT bracelets. Badziakouski's unique blend of aggression, discipline, and mathematical precision has set a new standard for modern poker.
Beyond the oval table, Badziakouski is a man of diverse interests. He's a passionate traveler who explores the world's wonders, and he's a dedicated philanthropist who uses his wealth to positively impact society.
Full Name |
Mikita Badziakouski |
Nickname |
fish2013 |
Net Worth |
$53 Million |
GPI |
50th |
Best Live Cash |
$7,114,500 |
7. Jason Koon: The Poker Maverick!
Born in 1985 in a small town in West Virginia, USA, Jason's primary passion in life was sport, fishing, and running. He was a professional runner before a serious injury in the 2000s ended his sports career.
He graduated with a Masters in Business Administration. However, after his sports career ended, he started playing full-time poker out of boredom.
During college, a roommate introduced him to Texas Hold 'em, which is how he fell for the game! Since 2006, Jason has been playing online and live poker games, dominating the high-stakes scene. He has 1 Bracelet, 9 Final Tables, and 60 Cashes at WSOP, 2 Final Tables, 12 Cashes at WPT, and 3 Cashes at EPT. The 10 times winning in the Triton Poker Series is a testament to his astonishing talent and skills in high-stakes poker games. Having $56,000,000 in total Live Poker earnings, Jason has no plans for retirement soon!
If you are wondering what the secret ingredient to Koon's stunning poker success is, I should say passion—passion for poker as a way to create a better life.
Full Name |
Jason Koon |
Nickname |
JAKoon1985 |
Net Worth |
$57 Million |
GPI |
181th |
Best Live Cash |
$3,579,836 |
Last Few Words
While a list of the top poker players of all time is way longer than this post, I listed the players with a background beyond poker who do not play the game just for the sake of money or winning. These people showcase a set of personal and professional traits, including but not limited to discipline, dedication, patience, self-control, risk management, and intelligence, that set them apart from ordinary poker players.
You can watch how they play, learn from their mistakes, and start playing today at irbet365 poker to start your mastery journey towards poker excellence. Always remember to gamble responsibly and never stop learning.