Curious about the 20 richest poker players?
Have you ever wondered who the richest professional poker players in the world are?
Well, look no further!
This article will explore some of the wealthiest and most successful players in the game.
From Dan Bilzerian to Bryn Kenney, these twenty individuals have made their mark on the industry and earned millions while doing so.
Read on to learn more about each one and how they achieved such incredible success.
Richest Poker Players In The World
- Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million
- Phil Ivey – $100 Million
- Sam Farha – $100 Million
- Chris Ferguson – $80 Million
- Doyle Brunson – $75 Million
- Daniel Negreanu – $70 Million
- Bryn Kenney – $57 Million
- Magnus carlsen – $50 Million
- Justin Bonomo – $49 Million
- Patrik Antonius – $30 Million
1. Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million
Dan Bilzerian, also known as the “King of Instagram”, is one of the world's richest poker players with a net worth of $200 million.
He has built his fortune through professional poker and investments in various businesses.
His poker career began in 2009, and he soon became one of the most talked-about figures in the game.
Bilzerian has since been involved in numerous successful ventures, including founding Ignite International, an energy drinks company that recently went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
He also wrote a book called The Money Machine about his life as a professional gambler.
He is well known for his lavish lifestyle and frequent appearances at high-stakes tournaments around the world. In 2014, he was named “The Most Interesting Man in Poker” by BLUFF magazine.
Here are five fascinating facts about Dan Bilzerian:
- He was born into a wealthy family that owned an aerospace manufacturing firm
- He served 2 years in prison for felony charges related to explosives
- He has made guest appearances on several TV shows and films
- He owns several expensive cars and properties across the US
- He is an avid hunter and gun enthusiast
2. Phil Ivey – $100 Million
Phil Ivey is one of the most successful and talented poker players in the world, having amassed an estimated net worth of $100 million.
He began playing poker when he was just 8 years old and by his teens, had already won several regional tournaments.
Throughout his career, Ivey has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets and a World Poker Tour title. His tournament winnings alone total up to more than $26 million, with some of his biggest wins being at the 2006 Monte Carlo Millions ($2 million) and the 2009 Aussie Millions ($2.2 million).
He also has considerable winnings from cash games, which include high-roller events in Las Vegas and Macau.
Aside from his success as a professional player, Ivey also owns two online poker rooms – Full Tilt Poker and Ivey Poker – which help him increase his fortune even more.
Furthermore, he’s been involved in several television shows such as ‘High Stakes Poker’ and ‘Poker After Dark’, further increasing both his popularity and wealth.
Five quick facts about Phil Ivey's success:
- Has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets
- Has over $26 million in tournament winnings alone
- Owns two online poker rooms – Full Tilt Poker and Ivey Poker
- Involved in several television shows such as ‘High Stakes Poker’ and ‘Poker After Dark’
- Estimated net worth of $100 million
3. Sam Farha – $100 Million
Sam Farha is widely regarded as one of the world's top poker players.
Born in Lebanon, Farha is an American citizen and has been playing poker professionally since the early 1990s. He is best known for his third-place finish at the 2003 World Series of Poker main event, where he won a prize of over $2 million.
Farha has accumulated total lifetime tournament winnings of more than $6 million throughout his career, making him one of the 20 richest poker players in the world with a net worth estimated to be around $100 million dollars.
His success has also been marked by several appearances on television programs and other media outlets such as ESPN and Fox Sports.
Here are 5 facts about Sam Farha:
- He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but grew up in Houston, Texas.
- In 2005, he made a cameo appearance in Matt Damon’s movie Rounders 2: The Sequel.
- He finished 4th at the 2004 WSOP main event which earned him over $2 million dollars in prizes money.
- In 2006, he founded a charitable foundation called “Sammy’s Kids” to help children in need around Houston area.
- He currently resides in San Antonio area and still plays poker professionally at high-stakes tournaments around the world
4. Chris Ferguson – $80 Million
Chris Ferguson is one of the most successful poker players in the world, with an estimated net worth of $80 million.
He first rose to fame during the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 2000 when he won the main event and took home $1.5 million prize. In addition, he has won a total of five WSOP bracelets over his career and many other high-stakes cash games.
Ferguson is known for his aggressive playing style, which often puts him at odds with his opponents. He also employs strong psychological strategies to gain an advantage over his competition.
Additionally, Ferguson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2010 for his outstanding achievements within the industry.
Here are 5 facts about Chris Ferguson:
- Five-time winner of World Series of Poker bracelets
- Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2010
- Aggressive playing style and sophisticated psychological strategies
- Has pocketed more than $8 million from live tournaments
- Wrote a book on poker strategy titled “Ace on the River”
5. Doyle Brunson – $75 Million
Doyle Brunson is one of the most legendary and renowned poker players in the world, known for both his skill and his charisma.
He was born in 1933 in Longworth, Texas, and started playing poker professionally during the 1950's. His success over the years has enabled him to accumulate an estimated net worth of $75 million.
Here are five more facts about this incredible poker player:
- In 1976, Brunson became the first person ever to win back-to-back World Series of Poker Main Event championships (the same feat was not repeated for another 34 years).
- In addition to his two WSOP Main Event titles, he has 10 WSOP bracelets overall.
- He wrote two poker books which were widely praised by the community – Doyle Brunson’s Super System (in 1978) and its sequel Super/System 2 (in 2004).
- In 2005, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifetime achievements as a player and ambassador of poker.
- To this day, he remains actively involved in various high stake tournaments around the world.
6. Daniel Negreanu – $70 Million
Daniel Negreanu, also known as ‘KidPoker’, is a Canadian professional poker player who has won six World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles.
He is one of the most recognized faces in the poker world and is known for his aggressive play style and highly entertaining table talk.
With estimated live tournament winnings of over $42 million, he ranks first on the list of all-time money winners and comes in at sixth place on our list of the 20 Richest Poker Players in The World with an estimated net worth of $70 million.
Negreanu earned his fame by becoming one of the most successful players in major tournaments.
He was formerly a member of Team PokerStars PRO as well as being a member of Team Full Tilt. His success has been highlighted by making five final tables at World Series events during 2004, which earned him WSOP Player of the Year honors that year for accumulating the most points based on finishes in WSOP events.
Some highlights from his career include:
- Winning six WSOP bracelets
- Becoming the first player to win four bracelet events during one WSOP season
- Earning WSOP Player of the Year honors in 2004
- Being inducted into the Poker Hall Of Fame in 2014
- Cashing out over $41 million from live tournament winnings throughout his career
7. Bryn Kenney – $57 Million
Bryn Kenney is one of the world's top poker players, and he is worth an estimated $57 million.
Born in New York, United States, Kenney began his career as a professional poker player in 2004 after studying Business at Lehigh University. He has competed successfully in numerous high-stakes tournaments around the world, including the World Series of Poker Main Event and the Poker Masters.
In 2019 alone, Kenney won over $20 million from live tournaments.
Kenney has always been passionate about poker and it is this passion that has enabled him to become so successful.
He is also known for his charitable work with organizations such as ‘Raising for Effective Giving’, which encourages donors to increase their donations to efficient charities.
Below are some facts about Bryn Kenney:
- He was named ‘Player of the Year’ by Card Player Magazine in 2018 and 2019
- He won the Big One for One Drop event in July 2019, winning a prize of more than $20 million
- In total, he has earned over $55 million from live poker tournaments
- His biggest score was a whopping $15 million at Triton Super High Roller Series in Montenegro in 2018
- In 2006, he was ranked #1 on Bluff Magazine's list of “Top 30 Under 30”
8. Magnus carlsen – $50 Million
Magnus Carlsen is one of the world’s richest poker players, having accumulated an impressive net worth of $50 million.
A Norwegian chess grandmaster, he has a number of notable achievements in both chess and poker. At age 13, he became a Grandmaster and was the youngest to do so at that time. He went on to become the World Chess Champion in 2013 and defended his title successfully twice since then.
When it comes to poker, Magnus began playing at the age of 18 and has competed in some small tournaments, but his main focus has always been on chess.
That being said, he has still managed to make tens of thousands from playing online poker while streaming on Twitch and other platforms.
Some of Magnus Carlsen's key accomplishments include:
- Winning two consecutive World Chess Championships
- Becoming a Grandmaster at just 13 years old
- Making money playing online poker through streaming
- Appearing as a celebrity guest in various TV shows
- Successfully winning small tournaments
9. Justin Bonomo – $49 Million
Justin Bonomo is a professional poker player from the United States and one of the 20 richest players in the world.
He has won various high-stakes tournaments and was even inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2019 at just 33 years of age.
As of 2021, he has won over $55 million in live tournament earnings alone.
Bonomo's success began in 2005 when he earned his first major tournament win at the World Poker Tour Championship, taking home a prize of over $1 million.
Since then, he has gone on to become one of the most successful players in history with numerous high-profile wins including two World Series of Poker bracelets, four World Poker Tour titles, and more than three dozen other major tournament wins.
The majority of Bonomo's wealth comes from his live tournament successes, but he also makes money through online winnings and sponsorships with various poker sites.
His current estimated net worth is $49 million dollars.
Here are five facts about Justin Bonomo:
- He holds multiple world records for tournament winnings
- He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at just 33 years old
- He currently holds the record for highest single calendar year earnings by a poker player
- He won two World Series of Poker bracelets in 2018
- He has made millions through online poker as well as live tournaments
10. Patrik Antonius – $30 Million
Patrik Antonius is a Finnish professional poker player who has earned an estimated $30 million in live tournaments alone.
He was voted one of the best online multi-table players of all time, and his success on the felt is impressive. Antonius started playing poker in the early 2000s and quickly rose to stardom, winning multiple high-stakes tournaments and earning millions in just a few years.
His biggest wins include four European Poker Tour titles, two World Series of Poker bracelets, and more than $16 million in total tournament earnings.
His accolades also include becoming the world's first Team Professional for Full Tilt Poker after they launched in 2004, as well as becoming a brand ambassador for Unibet Poker in 2018.
Five Facts about Patrik Antonius:
- He won his first major poker title at the age of 22, taking home €75K at the European Poker Tour event in Copenhagen.
- He holds three European Poker Tour final table appearances, including back-to-back runner up finishes at EPT Grand Final San Remo (2009) and EPT Dortmund (2010).
- His biggest win came at EPT London in 2008 where he took home over €1 million for first place finish.
- In 2012 he set a Guinness World Record for “largest pot won online” with a pot worth over $1 million during a cash game session on Full Tilt Poker.
- In addition to his tournament successes, Antonius is also a successful businessman and investor outside of the poker world with various investments around the globe
11. Antonio Esfandiari – $27 Million
Antonio Esfandiari is an Iranian-American professional poker player who has been playing since the early 2000s.
He is known for his aggressive style of play and unique personality, which has earned him the nickname “The Magician”.
With over $27 million in career earnings, he is one of the world's top 20 richest poker players.
Esfandiari began his rise to fame by placing second in the 2004 WPT Championship at the Bellagio, for a then record prize of $1.4 million.
Since then, he has managed to make deep runs in numerous major tournaments, including two more third place finishes at the WSOP Main Event and winning first place at the 2012 Big One for One Drop event for an incredible $18.3 million payout.
Besides poker tournaments, Esfandiari has also created a successful career as a slot machine designer and streamer on Twitch. He also starred in his own reality show “Big Table Poker” back in 2008 which brought him further recognition among fans of the game worldwide.
In total, Antonio Esfandiari accumulates an impressive net worth of over $27 million from various sources of income, making him one of the world’s wealthiest poker players today.
Antonio Esfandiari's Accomplishments:
- Placed 2nd at 2004 WPT Championship for $1.4 Million Prize
- Made Three Third Place Finishes at WSOP Main Event
- Won The Big One For One Drop Event In 2012 For An Incredible Payout Of $18 Million
- Created Successful Career As A Slot Machine Designer And Streamer On Twitch
- Starred In His Own Reality Show “Big Table Poker” In 2008
12. Jennifer Tilly – $25 Million
Jennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player with an estimated net worth of $25 million. She is the 12th richest poker player in the world.
Tilly began playing poker in 2004 and has since become a renowned name in the professional circuit. She has participated in several World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournaments, winning one bracelet each in 2005 and 2014.
In 2005, her winnings totaled $158,625, while she took home $590,204 for her 2014 victory.
Though her primary source of income lies in acting, Jennifer Tilly’s impressive poker skills remain unparalleled. With numerous top-notch performances at global events, she continues to be among the most successful players today.
Here are 5 facts about Jennifer Tilly:
- She won her first WSOP bracelet back in 2005 when she outplayed over 600 other players at the event.
- In 2010 she became the first woman to win a World Poker Tour (WPT) title after emerging victorious from a field of 648 players at LA Poker Classic Main Event.
- Her sister Meg Tilly is also an award-winning actress and author who has appeared on various television shows and films throughout her career.
- Jennifer Tilly’s involvement with charity work includes lending her voice as Bonnie Swanson on Family Guy to raise money for Autism Speaks organization through a special edition DVD set released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
- Besides monetary prizes, she also received a custom-made diamond necklace after she won the WPT Ladies Night event at Bellagio Casino Resort back in 2006
13. Phil Hellmuth – $20 Million
Phil Hellmuth is a professional poker player from the United States who has been playing for more than three decades.
He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007 and holds a record 15 World Series of Poker bracelets, which make him one of the most successful players in history.
Hellmuth's total live tournament winnings exceed $23 million, and according to his own estimation, he has won “well over” $20 million from playing poker alone.
Notable achievements by Phil Hellmuth include:
- Winner of 15 WSOP bracelets
- As of 2019, ranked #3 on All Time Money List with over $23 million in total live tournament cashes
- Was inducted into Poker Hall of Fame in 2007
- Winner of 2008 WSOP Europe Main Event
- 5th place finish at 2009 Aussie Millions Main Event
- Winner of 2011 NBC National Heads Up Championship
14. Phil Laak – $20 Million
Phil Laak is an Irish-American professional poker player who has won two World Series of Poker titles and one World Poker Tour championship.
He is known for his unorthodox style of playing, which has earned him the nickname ‘The Unabomber’.
Throughout his career, he has won a total of over $4 million in tournament winnings, making him one of the top earners in the game and putting him among the 20 richest poker players in the world. His estimated net worth is reported to be around $20 million.
Notable achievements include:
- Winning both an inaugural WSOP Circuit event at Harrah's Atlantic City in April 2005, and a World Series of Poker bracelet at The Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in May 2009
- First place victories in the NBC National Heads-Up Championship (2005) and NBC’s Poker After Dark (2007)
- Appearances on various television shows such as Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Last Call with Carson Daly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Most recently, winning a first place prize of $200,000 at the Bellagio Cup VI No Limit Hold'em Event #19 tournament held at The Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas
15. Jason Mercier – $18 Million
American poker player, Jason Mercier, is one of the biggest names in Poker and a multiple World Series of Poker champion.
He has playing professionally since 2008 and is one of the most successful tournament players in history with over $17 million in live tournament winnings.
According to Card Player Magazine's 2020 All-Time Money List, he is at number 14 with his estimated net worth being around $18 million.
Some of his notable wins include:
- Winning two WSOP bracelets in the same year in 2016
- Claiming his sixth career bracelet at the 2019 WSOPE
- Winning the World Poker Tour Player of the Year award two times
- Participating in 12 final tables at European Poker Tour events
16. Jennifer Harman – $15 Million
Jennifer Harman is one of the world's premier professional poker players.
Having won two World Series of Poker bracelets, she is widely respected as one of the top female players to ever pick up a deck. She has been playing professionally since 1997 and is known for her aggressive yet disciplined style.
She currently ranks 16th on the list of the world's richest poker players with an estimated net worth of $15 million.
Harman is considered to be one of the most successful female poker players in history and continues to be a major player in tournaments around the world.
Some highlights from her impressive career include:
- Winning two World Series of Poker bracelets in 2002 and 2004
- Finishing runner-up at four WSOP events in 2001, 2003, 2008, and 2009
- Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011
- Lifetime winnings over $3 million
- Ranked number 1 on Card Player Magazine’s “Female Player Of The Year” list for seven years
17. Scotty Nguyen – $12 Million
Scotty Nguyen is one of the most successful professional poker players in the world, having won a total of five WSOP bracelets and over $11.5 million in tournament winnings.
He first came to prominence when he won the 1998 World Series of Poker Main Event, becoming the first Vietnamese-American ever to do so. Throughout his career, he has also garnered several nickname titles, including ‘The Prince of Poker' and ‘The Train'.
Nguyen was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2006 and has been featured on numerous television programs such as Celebrity Apprentice and Sports Science.
His net worth stands at a reported $12 million due to his success in high stakes cash games, lucrative endorsement deals, and other investments made throughout his career.
Some of Scotty Nguyen's accomplishments include:
- 1998 WSOP Main Event Champion
- 5 time WSOP bracelet winner
- Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame (2006)
- Over $11 million in career tournament winnings
- Featured on multiple television shows including Celebrity Apprentice and Sports Science
18. Gus Hansen – $10 Million
Gus Hansen has been one of the most successful poker players in the world over the last two decades, having accumulated over $10 million in tournament winnings alone.
He is best known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to thrive in high-stakes games. Hansen first started playing professionally in 1997, and since then has won numerous tournaments around the globe.
In 2014, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments in the game.
Some of Hansen's biggest successes include winning a World Poker Tour (WPT) event and two European Poker Tour (EPT) events.
He also reached second place on both an EPT event and a World Series of Poker (WSOP) event. Along with his tournament success, Hansen has made millions more playing cash games online and live all around Europe.
His career total now stands at just over $10 million, making him one of the richest poker players alive today.
Here are 5 facts about Gus Hansen's poker career:
- He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014
- He has won 3 major international tournaments – 2 EPTs and 1 WPT
- He finished second at both a WSOP event and an EPT event
- He is famous for his aggressive style of play
- His total lifetime earnings stand at over $10 million
19. Doug Polk – $10 Million
Doug Polk is one of the most successful poker players in the world, having earned over $10 million in tournament winnings.
He began playing professionally in 2007 and quickly gained a reputation for his exceptional sense of strategy and willingness to take on risky opponents. After finding success online, he became one of the world’s biggest live tournament winners, including a World Series of Poker bracelet win in 2013.
His impressive career has seen him become a prominent figure in the poker community with many fans across the globe.
Doug's career accomplishments include:
- Winning more than $8 million from 2011-2015 alone
- Being featured on various television shows such as American Poker Tour and Shark Cage
- Launching an educational platform for aspiring players called Upswing Poker
- Coaching numerous famous pros such as Daniel Negreanu and Jason Koon
- Winning an WSOP bracelet in 2013
20. Tom Dwan – $10 Million
Tom Dwan is an American professional poker player who has accumulated a wealth of about $10 million.
He was born in 1986 in New Jersey and is best known for his results at the high-stakes “durrrr Challenge”. During his career, Dwan set numerous records in online poker, where he gained worldwide fame by playing under the alias “durrrr”.
Dwan has won several titles throughout his career, including five World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles.
His success in online tournaments allowed him to take part in high-stakes cash games in Las Vegas and Macau, where he earned some of his biggest prizes.
As one of the most influential poker players of all time, Tom Dwan continues to be an inspiration for millions of aspiring players around the world.
Here are five facts about him:
- In 2010, he won the NBC National Heads-Up Championship and took home a prize of $750k.
- He was featured on the TV show High Stakes Poker from 2006 until 2011.
- He won more than $6 million during durrrr Challenge matches against Patrik Antonius and Daniel Cates.
- In 2017, he founded Triton Super High Roller Series with fellow poker pros Paul Phua and Richard Yong.
- In 2019, he finished third in Triton Poker Montenegro Main Event for $771k prize money.
Verdict – 20 Richest Poker Players In The World
In conclusion, the world of poker is full of highly talented and successful players.
From Phil Ivey to Daniel Negreanu, these 20 richest poker players have earned their place on this list through hard work, dedication and relentless passion for the game.
- Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million
- Phil Ivey – $100 Million
- Sam Farha – $100 Million
- Chris Ferguson – $80 Million
- Doyle Brunson – $75 Million
- Daniel Negreanu – $70 Million
- Bryn Kenney – $57 Million
- Magnus carlsen – $50 Million
- Justin Bonomo – $49 Million
- Patrik Antonius – $30 Million
While some may be better known than others, each one has contributed significantly to making poker what it is today: an exciting sport with a passionate fan base that continues to grow every year.
Whether you’re just starting out or are already established in the professional circuit – if you want success in poker, there’s no better way than learning from these top professionals!