Poker pros are highly skilled, strategic, and astute players who have turned the complex game of poker into a lucrative career. They excel in various forms of the game, from Texas Hold’em to Omaha, and participate in high-stakes tournaments and cash games worldwide. 

There is a lot of money to be made playing poker. Many of the game’s best players have climbed the ladder and earned millions both virtually and in live poker tournaments. Ranking the greatest poker players of all time is no easy task, and the list can get lengthy as there are many great players.

Who are the best poker players of all time? One way to settle it is cold, hard results: this ranking is based on the Hendon Mob all-time money list, which tracks every documented live tournament cash in poker history. Below are the 15 players who’ve won the most (updated for September 2026).

 

1. Bryn Kenney (USA): $90.7 million

Bryn Kenney, born in 1986 in Long Beach, New York, is an American professional poker player known for his remarkable skills and significant winnings. He first gained attention in the poker community in 2007 and quickly ascended the ranks of the game. Kenney has a knack for high-stakes tournaments and is especially proficient in Texas Hold’em. His notable achievements include winning a bracelet at the 2014 World Series of Poker in the $1,500 10-Game Mix Six Handed event. Bryn tops the all-time money list!

 

2. Stephen Chidwick (England): $79 million

Stephen Chidwick, born in 1989 in Deal, Kent, is a highly regarded British professional poker player known for his exceptional skills and strategic acumen at the poker table. Chidwick began his career in online poker before transitioning to live tournaments, where he has consistently demonstrated his prowess. Renowned for his versatility and deep understanding of various poker formats, he has accumulated numerous prestigious titles and substantial earnings. His notable achievements include winning events at the World Series of Poker and making deep runs in high-roller tournaments around the globe. Chidwick’s analytical approach and calm demeanor under pressure have solidified his reputation as one of the top players in the competitive poker circuit.

 

3. Jason Koon (USA): $77 million

Jason Koon is an accomplished American professional poker player known for his remarkable skills and impressive tournament results. Born in 1985 in West Virginia, Koon has made a significant mark in high-stakes poker tournaments around the world. With a background in track and field, he brings a competitive edge and discipline to the poker table. Koon’s notable achievements include multiple high roller event victories and final table appearances at prestigious events like the World Series of Poker and Triton Poker Series. His strategic acumen and mental toughness make him a formidable opponent in any poker setting.

 

4. Mikita Badziakouski (Belarus): $69.3 million

Mikita Badziakouski is a prominent Belarusian professional poker player, known for his strategic acumen and quiet intensity at the poker tables. Born in 1993, Badziakouski has become a force in high-stakes tournament poker, amassing numerous titles and hefty winnings. He has particularly excelled in super high roller events, consistently facing off against some of the best players in the world. His poker resume features multiple multi-million dollar cashes, contributing to his reputation as one of the most successful poker pros of his generation. Badziakouski’s approach to the game blends deep mathematical understanding with a keen psychological insight, making him a formidable opponent in any setting.

 

5. Adrian Mateos (Spain): $67.8 million

Adrián Mateos is a prominent Spanish professional poker player known for his remarkable achievements in the poker world. Born on July 1, 1994, Mateos quickly rose to fame in the poker community, earning his first major victory at the 2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event at just 19 years old. His aggressive playing style and keen strategic mind have earned him multiple titles and a reputation as one of the most talented young players in the game.

 

6. Justin Bonomo (USA): $65.6 million

Justin Bonomo is an exceptionally skilled professional poker player, known for his analytical approach and remarkable success in high-stakes tournaments. Born on September 30, 1985, in Fairfax, Virginia, Bonomo has made a significant impact on the poker world. He rose to prominence after winning multiple World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and achieving numerous final tables. Notably, Bonomo’s biggest accomplishment came in 2018 when he won the $1 million Big One for One Drop, securing a massive $10 million prize. His achievements have placed him among the top earners in poker.

 

7. Isaac Haxton (USA): $65.3 million

Isaac Haxton, a renowned American professional poker player, has made significant marks in the world of high-stakes poker. Born in 1985 in New York, Haxton’s journey in poker began during his time at Brown University, quickly evolving from an online phenomenon to a respected live tournament player. Known for his analytical approach and unshakeable demeanor, Haxton has accumulated impressive earnings, including substantial wins in tournaments like the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. His skills extend beyond Texas Hold’em to various mixed games, where he also excels. Haxton’s influence in poker is further evidenced by his role as an ambassador for major online poker platforms.

 

8. Dan Smith (USA): $61.3 million

Dan Smith is an acclaimed professional poker player, widely respected for his impressive skills and consistent performance in high-stakes tournaments. With a career that began in 2007, Smith has accumulated numerous titles and significant earnings, making him one of the top players in the poker world. Known for his analytical approach and calm demeanor at the table, Smith’s game strategy is both aggressive and thoughtful, allowing him to excel in various poker formats. His philanthropic efforts, notably the Double Up Drive, highlight his commitment to giving back, using his poker success to support various charitable causes. Dan Smith’s influence extends beyond the table, making him a prominent figure in the poker community.

 

9. Daniel Negreanu (Canada): $60.6 million

Daniel Negreanu, a Canadian professional poker player of Romanian descent, is one of the most recognizable faces in the world of poker. Born in 1974, Negreanu moved to Las Vegas to pursue his poker career and quickly made a name for himself with his exceptional reading abilities and engaging personality. Known as “Kid Poker,” Negreanu has won six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and two World Poker Tour (WPT) championships, amassing millions in earnings. He is renowned for his intuitive play and his ability to read opponents, skills that have made him a formidable and respected figure in the poker community.

 

10. William Alex Foxen (USA): $58.9 million

William “Alex” Foxen is an American professional poker player who has become one of the most feared competitors on the high-roller circuit. A former college football tight end, Foxen brought an athlete’s discipline to the game and captured back-to-back Global Poker Index Player of the Year titles in 2018 and 2019. His trophy case includes the 2022 Super High Roller Bowl and a WSOP bracelet in the $250,000 Super High Roller, each worth more than $4.5 million. Alongside his wife, fellow pro Kristen Foxen, he forms poker’s most successful married couple, and his relentless aggression keeps him climbing the all-time money list.

 

11. Phil Ivey (USA): $55.7 million

Phil Ivey, often regarded as one of the greatest and most iconic poker players of all time, has earned a reputation for his exceptional skill and intense focus at the poker table. Born in 1976 in Riverside, California, Ivey moved to Roselle, New Jersey, where he began his poker career. Known for his prowess in various forms of the game, he has won ten World Series of Poker bracelets and one World Poker Tour title. Ivey’s aggressive style and ability to read opponents make him a formidable competitor. Beyond the felt, he’s involved in various business ventures and philanthropic efforts, further solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the poker world.

 

12. Daniel Dvoress (Canada): $54 million

Daniel Dvoress is a Canadian professional poker player who built his reputation as one of the world’s most respected online high-stakes competitors before conquering the live arena. The Toronto-based pro is one of only thirteen players ever to cross $50 million in live tournament earnings, a milestone driven by remarkable consistency across the Triton Super High Roller Series. His biggest score came at the Triton Million Invitational at WSOP Paradise, where a fourth-place finish banked $4.39 million. Known for his calm, methodical style and deep theoretical command of the game, Dvoress is a fixture at the toughest tables in poker.

 

13. David Peters (USA): $50.9 million

David Peters is a highly respected professional poker player known for his impressive skills and strategic gameplay. Since bursting onto the poker scene, Peters has earned a reputation for his calm demeanor and analytical approach at the tables. He has accumulated multiple prestigious titles, including a coveted World Series of Poker bracelet. Peters’ adaptability across different poker formats and stakes has solidified his status as one of the game’s top competitors. His consistency in high-stakes tournaments around the world has resulted in a formidable presence in global poker rankings. Peters’ success is underscored by his disciplined bankroll management and meticulous study of the game.

 

14. Fedor Holz (Germany): $50.6 million

Fedor Holz, born in 1993 in Germany, is one of the most successful poker players of his generation. Known for his exceptional analytical skills and calm demeanor, Holz has made a significant impact on the poker world. He rose to prominence in 2016 after securing several high-profile tournament wins, including a victory at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) where he earned his first bracelet. Holz is ranked among the top earners in poker history. Despite his young age, he has demonstrated a strategic mastery of the game, earning respect and admiration from peers and fans alike. Holz also emphasizes the importance of mindset and mental health in achieving poker success.

 

15. Erik Seidel (USA): $49.2 million

Erik Seidel is an iconic figure in the world of professional poker, renowned for his calm demeanor and strategic finesse. Born in New York City in 1959, Seidel started his career as a backgammon player before transitioning to the stock market and eventually poker. He rose to prominence with his second-place finish in the 1988 World Series of Poker Main Event. Seidel has won eight WSOP bracelets and a World Poker Tour title, showcasing his prowess across different poker variants. His consistent performances and analytical approach have made him a respected figure and a mentor to many aspiring poker players. To this day, Seidel remains a formidable force in the poker community.

 

From the Rail to the Rankings

Every one of the highest-earning poker players on this list started with their first hand, nobody is born reading the table. The skills that built these fortunes are learnable: hand selection, position, and knowing when to let a hand go. Start with playing free poker on Poker Patio and put your own game to the test, without risking any real money.