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In the early 2000s, poker exploded in popularity, dragging players from obscurity and into the spotlight. With their wins, bracelets, and a whole lot of swag, these poker pros became household names. Buckle up as we count down the top 5 most legendary poker players who've utterly slayed the game and won the hearts of millions.
#1 Doyle Brunson - The Godfather of Poker
Old but gold, Doyle Brunson has earned his place as the undisputed king of poker, leaving undeniable footprints on the game. His near-century-long career saw him taking home the big bucks. He even penned the Bible of poker strategy with his legendary book, Super/System, a must-read for every professional grinder.
The Texas Dolly is famous for winning the WSOP Main Event two consecutive years (1976 and 1977), a feat only shared by four players. He's not just a poker prodigy but a certified legend, causing legends like his children to follow in his footsteps. Todd, his son, even snagged a pro bracelet, making them the first father-son pair to lay claim to this prestigious prize.
In his long and illustrious career, Brunson raked in $6.2 million in tournament earnings and 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, retiring in 2018. And let's not forget he's still the record-holder for the oldest Poker Tour winner ever at 71 years old.
#2 Daniel Negreanu - Kid Poker
While Doyle Brunson is a cornerstone of poker, Daniel "Kid Poker" Negreanu represents the fresh face of the game. Emerging from the mid-2000s poker boom, Negreanu became one of the most recognizable poker players in the world. From the gritty streets of Toronto to the glamorous Las Vegas, Kid Poker stole the show, amassing a loyal following.
He had his breakthrough moment in 1997 at the World Poker Finals, where he triumphed at two events and was crowned the best player in the game.
Throughout his career, Negreanu snagged six WSOP bracelets, two World Poker Tour championship titles, and even held a coveted ambassador role for PokerStars. He's also claimed the title of having the largest live tournament winnings of all time with $42 million. His biggest win came from a second-place finish at the Big One for One Drop tournament in 2014, netting him $8,288,001.
#3 Phil Ivey - The Tiger Woods of Poker
Phil "The Tiger Woods of Poker" Ivey is one of the only players that managed to consistently rule the felt throughout his career while amassing a mouth-watering net worth of over $100 million. His WSOP placements alone put him at the top of any list of the most famous poker players out there.
Compared to Negreanu and Brunson, Ivey possesses a cloak of mystery, along with his incredible skill, making him a favorite at high-stakes televised games since the start of the 2000s.
He won his first bracelet back in 2000 and added three more in 2002. Over the years, he's bagged 10 WSOP bracelets in total, but his most impressive win came at the Aussie Millions tournament, where he hauled in a whopping $3,582,753.
#4 Liv Boeree
With an impressive resume both in and out of the poker world, Liv Boeree is undeniably one of the most successful female poker players out there. A force to be reckoned with at global tournaments, she boasts an impressive attendance and winning record.
Known for her quick wit, Boeree is the only female player to compete in major events in both the European and World Poker Tours.
She struck gold at the 2010 European Poker Tour Sanremo, taking home the top prize, along with a hefty €1,250,000. Boeree also bagged a WSOP bracelet as part of the 2017 10K Tag Team and boasts a total tournament winnings of $3.5 million.
In addition to her poker prowess, Liv Boeree is an astrophysicist, in-demand speaker, and broadcaster, and a longstanding PokerStars team member.
#5 Antanas Guoga - Tony G
Rising to fame during the early 2000s, Antanas "Tony G" Guoga achieved great success in WSOP, Grand Prix de Paris, and Pot Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments. His flair for drama at the table made him a favorite on countless poker TV broadcasts.
Memorable moments in his poker career include a fifth-place finish at the 2003 World Poker Tour Grand Prix de Paris, and a second-place finish the following year, earning him $414,478.
Additionally, he achieved the final table of the World Speed Poker Open in 2005, and became a PartyPoker ambassador in 2010. Proving that hard work and smart decisions pay off, Tony G eventually became a TonyBet.com ambassador in 2013.
Nowadays, Tony G is also recognized for his philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and political career as a member of the European Parliament.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, CoinPoker's rundown of the top 5 most famous poker players, their records, and achievements. Regardless of their trophies and accolades, these players share one key trait: They've all busted their asses to get to the top.
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- Notable poker players include Doyle Brunson, often referred to as the Godfather of Poker, who penned the legendary poker strategy book, Super/System, and has earned 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets.
- Another renowned player is Daniel "Kid Poker" Negreanu, who emerged as one of the most recognizable poker players, boasting six WSOP bracelets, two World Poker Tour championship titles, and a career earning of $42 million.
- Phil "The Tiger Woods of Poker" Ivey, known for his consistent rule over the felt throughout his career, has won 10 WSOP bracelets, with a remarkable win at the Aussie Millions tournament netting him $3,582,753.
- Liv Boeree, a successful female poker player and astrophysicist, is the only female player to compete in major events in both the European and World Poker Tours, earning a WSOP bracelet and a total of $3.5 million in tournament winnings.
- Antanas "Tony G" Guoga, who achieved fame during the early 2000s, has made a name for himself in WSOP, Grand Prix de Paris, and Pot Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments, and is now a member of the European Parliament, showcasing his philanthropy and political career beyond the poker landscape.
- In the world of casino-and-gambling and casino-games, the influence of gambling-trends, such as sports-betting, is evident even in the realm of poker pros as they often engage in sports-betting alongside their poker careers.
