Online poker players are a dime a dozen these days, but several of them stand as the best of all time. Click here to learn who they are. If you too want to join this growing trend, the best thing you can do is to do so at one of the best poker sites not blocked by Gamstop in 2023.
It can be tricky to name the best professional online poker players, unlike in other sports. Additionally, it’s also challenging to determine what makes a poker player skilled due to the nature and difficulty of the game. For instance, playing poker online requires choosing between virtual and live play (if you prefer the latter and need a venue that offers live games to its players, check out Pelaa Casino). Regardless, while winnings can help them rank, we believe that they are not the only factor that makes a great poker player.
Therefore, we compiled a list of the top poker players below based on several factors. We took into account their style of play, overall personality, and achievements. Note that the ranking below does not include all great players – just those who made the cut according to the previously mentioned factors. Let’s begin.
The Best Online Poker Players In History: Top 10 List
These are the ten most influential poker players ever, in no particular order:
- Fedor Holz – GrownUpGuy
- Dan Smith – Cowboy Dan
- Bryn Kenney – Mega Crusher
- Phil Ivey – The Tiger Woods of Poker
- Daniel Colman – MRGR33N13
- Daniel Negreanu – Kid Poker
- Justin Bonomo – ZeeJustin
- Phil Helmuth – The Poker Brat
- Johnny Moss – The Grandfather of Poker
- Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly (among the best online poker players in history)
Fedor Holz – GrownUpGuy
Fedor Holz, a German poker star, is the first entry on our list. He is one of the most successful online poker players who has also made the transition to live poker and enjoyed even greater success. Holz had almost $33 million in winnings by 2020 and was at the top of the online poker scene. His nickname is The GrownUpGuy, and he is an analytical player who understands the risks involved in the game.
Dan Smith – Cowboy Dan
Dan Smith, also known as Cowboy Dan, is one of the numerous players who left college to pursue their professional poker careers. It was a tricky decision, but it was worth it. Cowboy Dan’s charity work is what separates him from the rest of the players. He created the Double Up Drive to allow poker players to support those in need, and his fellow players have been more than supportive.
Bryn Kenney – Mega Crusher
This list would not be complete without the number one on the all-time earnings list. Bryn Kenney is the number one earner with over $56 million in live earnings and is a consistent finisher in this game because of his skills. Kenney was raised playing Magic: The Gathering cards.
He then switched to poker in 2007 and joined his first tournament. Over the years, he continued to win larger stakes until he earned millions, becoming one of the best online poker players in existence. Kenney was also the runner-up in the 2019 PS1 Million Triton event, which saw him earn $20.5 million.
Phil Ivey – The Tiger Woods of Poker
Phil Ivey is still regarded as the best player in the game, despite accusations of cheating. In the early 2000s, he was the hottest young poker player. Ivey won his first WSOP bracelet aged 23 and then won three more during a single summer in 2002. His total live tournament wins exceed $26 million, and regardless of what people think about him, he still has 10 WSOP bracelets and a WPT title. His peers both respect and admire him.
Daniel Colman – MRGR33N13
Although he may not yet have the titles, Daniel Colman has earned more than $29 million throughout his career. He is only 30 years old but has won a WSOP bracelet. However, he has not yet been awarded a WPT title. Colman was able to knock Daniel Negreanu (the Kid Poker) out of The Big One for One Drop competition, where he won over $15.3 million. Colman is a poker player who prefers online games, making him one of the greatest online poker players of all time.
Daniel Negreanu – Kid Poker
Daniel Negreanu, or “Kid Poker,” has been a part of the poker scene since before the 2000s. He holds the record when it comes to winning the most live poker tournaments. He is also the first player to be named player-of-the-year twice by the WSOP. Negreanu has six WSOP bracelets and two WPT titles. He has also amassed about $33 million in tournament earnings.
Justin Bonomo – ZeeJustin
ZeeJustin has $44.6 million in winnings and is one of the highest-earning players in the game. Justin Bonomo is only 34 years old, and his dominance in poker seems to be beginning. Since 2016, he has won 18 major tournaments. However, this player is most well-known for his win at the WSOP, where he won the $10 million Big One for One Drop for $1 Million. Bonomo is a skilled player who can beat the best players worldwide with his game sense and intellect.
Phil Hellmuth – The Poker Brat
Phil Hellmuth is among the most prominent names in poker today. He is widely regarded as one of the most skilled players and has a masterful understanding of the game (he was also rumored to be a consultant on a blockbuster gambling movie at one point). Hellmuth boasts 15 World Series of Poker bracelets and an estimated $23 million in earnings when it comes to the best online poker players of all time. He was the winner of the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas in 1989. Hellmuth hopes to win a WPT title soon despite not being added to the Champions Cup.
Johnny Moss – The Grandfather of Poker
It means a lot to be called the Grandfather of Poker with excellent reason. Johnny Moss was a Texas-based road gambler whose cash winnings remain indeterminable. He was a professional poker player with 3 Main Event titles and 9 WSOP bracelets. He had amassed at least $1.25 million in tournament winnings but passed away at 88 years old. Both his contemporaries and forerunners remember him as a fierce competitor.
Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly
Doyle Brunson, now 87, has been playing professional poker for more than 50 years. He has won many battles throughout his long career. Brunson’s 10 World Series of Poker bracelets include the Main Event in 1976 and 1977. He was also able to make the final table of the WSOP at the age of 84, and he also held the record for the oldest winner of a Poker Tour tournament at the age of 71 in 2004.
When looking at the best online poker players of all time, Brunson is generally at the top of every list. His career tournament earnings equal approximately $6.2 million. Brunson’s talent comes from his natural instinct and an innate feeling for the game. He also has the benefit of having seen thousands of hands over the years.
