Poker has and will always be regarded as the game of men. For centuries, right from the days of brick-and-mortar casinos to today’s era of online poker, its popularity has continued to grow. Alongside the growth, the game has produced legends over the years—icons who have mastered all the tricks in the book.
These players have gone ahead to promote and play poker at the top levels, showing the world how awesome the game can be. Also, they’ve earned respect and admiration from thousands of enthusiasts globally, engraving their names in stone while bagging achievements.
This article will explore some of the greatest players ever in poker history, discussing their impact and how they rose to the peak. Let’s dive in.
Top 5 Best Poker Players of All Time
The players on the list below have dominated the game with their records for years. Here’s a review of their career and World Series of Poker (WSOP) record-breaking wins:
1. Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson had a career that spanned over 50 years, winning 10 WSOP bracelets. Apart from Phil Hellmuth, who has sixteen to his name, Doyle’s record is more than any other in the top players category.
Doyle, also known as the Godfather of Poker, is a living legend. He has a published book called the Super/System which has reached all over the world. He also remains the only player to have won the WSOP main event in two different decades.
In his words, “Poker is war. People pretend it is a game, but it is not.”
2. Phil Hellmuth
Phil holds the record for the most WSOP bracelets 16), making him one of the best players of all time.
Fondly known as the Poker Brat, he has an aggressive playing style. He’s also one of the most popular faces in televised tournaments of the game today.
Of all the admirable qualities of Phil, his mental toughness is the most likeable. The player regards himself in high esteem, and once he famously declared, “I’m the best poker player in the world. If you don’t believe it, just watch me play.”
The confidence behind those words has been proven, earning him a spot in the greatest of all-time rankings in the poker world.
3. Johnny Chan
Johnny Chan was one of the most composed players of his time. He grew up playing poker and adapted a skill to read his opponents, using it to his advantage. This cheat helped him win back-to-back titles at WSOP 1987 and 1988, earning him the recognition he receives till date.
Johnny also has the knack for deep runs in high-stake tournaments. He also has a popular saying for the game, “Poker is not a game of cards; it’s a game of people.”
4. Daniel Negreanu
Down to the era of professional poker players, Daniel Negreanu has proven to be one of the best on the table.
He has two World Poker Tour (WPT) titles and six WSOP bracelets to his name. His life earnings stretch into millions of dollars, and aside from individual achievements, he’s into poker advocacy.
Negreanu’s nickname during his poker career was Kid Poker, and, among others, his ability to read a player’s personality was his biggest strength. Among his peers, he is regarded as a high roller on the poker scene, keeping up appearances on the all-time money list.
5. Stu Ungar
In his short-lived career, Stu Ungar was able to take home 3 World Series of Poker titles. This included consecutive wins in 1980 and 1981.
Stu was blessed with a deep understanding of the game, making him a tough challenge for his opponents.
However, it was one thing for Stu to have talent and control over his gambling addiction. His career was cut short in his prime, but his name would ring on as one of the greatest on a poker table.
Poker in the Philippines: The Growth So Far
Poker in the Philippines has grown to become more than just a game of cards. It is now an industry where players can develop their skills while making money with little or no stakes involved.
Interestingly, online casinos are the new trend, introducing lower stakes games. Every player can easily start their poker journey in the Philippines with minimal investment, especially if they learn how to play in lowest deposit online casino. Playing with little stakes attracts more players, and subsequently a good number of them grow to become masters of poker and world champions.
Final Thoughts
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step,” – Lao Tzu
Each one of the poker legends mentioned in this article had a background of efforts, hard work, and commitment before they reached their point of fame. From Doyle’s dominance since the 1950s to the wonders of the 2000s by Daniel Negreanu, one thing is worth noting: legends are made, not born.
So, take a leaf from the pages of these greats, read more about them on Reddit forums, and start your own journey to the top. Also remember to gamble responsibly if you plan to become one of the players in history would label poker stars, and do well to amass wealth as you go up the ladder.
