Best Poker Players Ever: Complete Rankings & UK Champions Guide

You may bluff your way through local pub games or get lucky every once in a while at brick-and-mortar casino poker rooms. However, people-reading skills, in-depth knowledge of poker variants, and most importantly, the ability to not fold under pressure are some of the defining characteristics of the most successful tournament poker players. 

If you ever wondered, “Who are the best poker players of all time?” or wanted to learn more about the best British poker players, this guide is for you. In the following sections, we’ll dive deep into how the greatest poker players in history shaped the game, as well as about famous stars from Europe, the UK, and other corners of the world. 

The Top 10 Greatest Poker Players of All Time

The world of professional poker has produced countless legends, but only a select few stand out as the greatest poker players in history. These top poker professionals have shaped the game through jaw-dropping tournament runs, relentless consistency, and iconic moments that continue to inspire new generations of professional poker players.

Whether it’s dominating high-stakes cash games, crushing major circuits like the World Series of Poker, or pioneering strategies that forever changed how the game is played, the players on this list have left an undeniable legacy.

The list below is our homage to the greats – Poker Hall of Famers, multi-millionaires, ultra-high-rollers, Jacks of All Trades, and some of the most decorated poker tournament champions. 

1. Johnny Moss

Nicknamed “The Grand Old Man of Poker”, Johnny Moss is one of the most influential figures in the history of poker. He was a late bloomer, as his gambling career began while he was in his early 40s. 

Decades before he won his first WSOP bracelet, Johnny Moss was playing high-stakes cash games in Odessa, Texas. One of the most iconic “moments” in poker history was Johnny’s clash with Nick the Greek, another heavy hitter, which lasted five months. According to some sources, this very “battle” of skill, wits, and endurance was what inspired the foundation of the World Series of Poker. 

His first appearance on the big stage was in 1970, when he won his first World Series of Poker Main Event. He would continue to win again in 1971 and 1974, after which he enjoyed moderate success at WSOP events between 1976 and 1988.  

2. Phil Hellmuth

Phil’s renown in the poker world is on par with Johnny’s, perhaps even greater, depending on who you’re asking. Among professionals, Phil is the most decorated veteran with 17 WSOP bracelets to his name, 210 WSOP money finishes, 18 WPT money finishes, and 5 WPT final table placements. He’s also one of the richest poker players in the world, with over $30 million in lifetime poker winnings. 

He won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 1989, when he became the youngest poker player to win the WSOP main event at the age of 24. His record remained unchallenged for decades before being broken in 2008 by a Danish professional, Peter Nicolas Eastgate. 

Another major achievement in Phil’s career took place in 1993, again at the WSOP stage, when he managed to secure three bracelets during one event. 

3. Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu, or “Kid Poker,” is one of the most famous Canadian professional poker players. He is currently holding 7 World Series of Poker bracelets and 2 World Poker Tour titles. What’s equally impressive is that Daniel has made over 280 money finishes at various WSOP events, 25 money finishes at WPT events, and 6 at EPT tournaments.

What sets Daniel apart from many professionals is that he managed to win his debut appearance at the WSOP in 1988, bringing $169,460 home. This also made him the youngest bracelet winner in the event’s history (24 years old) at the time. 

Beyond WSOP, Daniel won his first WPT title at Borgata Poker Open, and his second at Five Diamond World Poker Classic, both in 2004, for a combined prize of over $2.7 million. He also won a SCOOP title in 2013, a WCOOP title in 2016, and over 10 PokerGo Tour titles between 2021 and today. 

4. Stu Ungar

Stuart Ungar, sometimes referred to as “The Comeback Kid”, is one of the pioneers of the exceedingly aggressive poker playstyle, although his dynamic approach was far from reckless. Stu had found the golden balance between perfect bluffs and confident advances, which were backed by his photographic memory and razor-sharp intellect. 

A prodigy among his peers and veterans alike, Stu Ungar would bounce between poker and blackjack tables wherever he was allowed. Due to his almost natural ability to count cards, he was often blacklisted at many casinos. 

Stu won five WSOP bracelets during his relatively short career and had 16 money finishes at the same event.

5. Darren Elias

Although Darren only holds one WSOP bracelet, he’s considered among the greatest poker players of today and is nicknamed “The End Boss,” which many players attribute to his dominating presence, game knowledge, and sharp instincts. 

Darren is mainly known as the holder of four World Poker Tour titles. He won his first at the Borgata Poker Open in 2014, when he claimed a massive prize of $843,744. He secured his second title at WPT Caribbean that same year, the third at Fallsview Poker Classic in 2017, and his fourth at Bobby Baldwin Classic tournament in 2018. 

In terms of lifetime poker winnings, Darren’s wealth is comparable to some of the best poker players in the world, measuring over $14 million. 

6. Viktor Blom

While Viktor doesn’t have any WSOP bracelets or WPT titles (yet), he’s considered among the best online poker players for a myriad of reasons. Appearing as “Isildur1” (likely borrowed from the Lord of the Rings lore), Viktor went on a massive winning streak at Full Tilt Poker in 2009 and contested multiple high-league professionals, with the most notable being Cole South, Phil Ivey, and Patrik Antonius. 

Blom made history by playing and winning roughly $4 million in just one week against a single opponent. He was playing against Tom Dwan at six tables at once, and won nearly every hand his opponent threw at him. 

7. Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey is a prolific poker professional who has won 11 WSOP bracelets and secured 102 money finishes at the World Series of Poker tournaments, as well as a proud holder of 2 WPT titles. 

While many WSOP champions mainly specialise in Texas Hold’em poker, Phil actually won one of his bracelets at a HORSE event in 2010, where he faced Bill Chen, John Juanda, Jeff Lisandro, and Chad Brown, as well as another bracelet in a $10,000 Limit Lowball Triple Draw competition in 2024.  

At the time, Ivey stands second in the field of pros with the most WSOP wins (behind Hellmuth). Ivey won his first and only WPT title in 2008, where he claimed $1.596 million at the L.A. Poker Classic. 

WSOP Legends: Masters of the World Series

Some of the best poker players of all time earned their reputations by conquering the game’s most iconic battleground: the World Series of Poker. Winning a WSOP bracelet isn’t just about beating the odds; it’s proof that a player has outplayed hundreds, sometimes thousands, of skilled opponents on one of the biggest stages in the world. For many players, a single bracelet is the pinnacle of their career.

And then we have legends like Phil Hellmuth, who holds a record-breaking 17 WSOP bracelets. He famously won three in one year (1993), becoming only the second player ever to do so, the first being Puggy Pearson in 1973. Phil Ivey is another standout, not just for his 11 bracelets, but also for impressive performance at different poker majors, including two WPT titles and multiple money finishes at the EPT. 

World Poker Tour Champions: Tournament Excellence

Some of the highest earning poker professionals carved their legacies through World Poker Tour championships, which often serve as a proving ground between the prestige of WSOP bracelet winners and the global edge of European Poker Tour winners. 

These WPT champions may not always dominate headlines, but their consistency, adaptability, and colossal wins have earned them a lasting seat among the greatest poker players in history.

Below is a list of some of the most successful World Poker Tour champions, complete with details about their tournament earnings, wins where they cut their teeth, and their most recent tournament appearances. 

Although the World Series of Poker is often considered the top of the mountain in terms of poker achievements, accolades earned at the World Poker Tour offer a different kind of prestige. WPT competitions are often smaller, especially compared to WSOP main events, but there aren’t as many up-and-comers present. These events are battlegrounds for famous poker players, cash game specialists, and individuals who are heavily versed in poker (and human) psychology.

The rise of poker as a mainstream game can largely be traced back to the WPT’s televised boom in the early 2000s. Suddenly, famous poker players weren’t just seen at final tables – they were household names. This era gave rise to poker legends like Gus Hansen and Carlos Mortensen, all professional poker players who mastered the grind week after week.

Given that each battle is a free-for-all between some of the best poker players ever, climbing even a single step is often perceived as a huge success. 

Who Are the Best British Poker Players?

The rise of top UK poker champions has reshaped the global poker scene over the last two decades, with British poker players securing some of the game’s most prestigious titles. From London poker hotspots to high-stakes final tables in Vegas, UK pros have become known not only for their consistency and mental toughness but also for introducing new strategic layers to modern poker play.

Whether we’re talking about the WSOP, the EPT, or elite UK poker tournaments like Grosvenor UK Poker Tour or the Irish Open, players from across England, Scotland, and Wales are now firmly embedded in the rich tapestry of global poker. 

Below is an overview of some of the most influential UK poker players, their lifetime earnings, specialties, and most active (or successful) years, as well as their current Global Rank (sourced from Global Poker Index). 

The role of the UK in the development of the European Poker Tour cannot be overstated. EPT London has been a major destination for global poker stars, but ever so often, a local poker pro claims the title. 

The cycle began with the first European Tour hosted in the UK in October 2004. John Shipley won the main event and took £200,000 home. That same year, Ram Vaswani won the EPT Dublin a few weeks later, bagging €93,000. 

In 2005, Mark Teltscher won EPT London and claimed €280,000. A year later, Victoria Coren won the main event on EPT London and claimed an impressive prize of £500,000. Roland De Wolfe claimed €554,300 at EPT Dublin in 2006, while Julian Thew competed and won offshore at the EPT Baden Classic in 2007. 

Local EPT hostings were quiet for British poker champions for a while, but David Vamplew reopened the “season” by winning £900,000 in 2010. In more recent years, British poker players have demonstrated exemplary prowess both at home and across Europe, with the most notable tour champions being Ian Hamilton (EPT London, 2022) and Barny Boatman (EPT Paris, 2024). 

Modern Poker: The New Generation of Champions

There are worlds of difference between old-school and modern-age poker. Where the best poker players in world of old relied on instinct and experience, the new generation leans into GTO strategy, hand solvers, and thousands of hours in online multi-table tournaments.

Live poker is still the way to go for many, but most professional poker players today begin online, sharpening their skills across platforms before leaping into the live circuit. The biggest names aren’t just lucky, they’re analytically trained, battle-tested, and often ranked among the top poker professionals in the world. 

Below is a list of poker superstars in the making. Some have already built reputations as poker millionaires, while others are fast-climbing talents who’ve turned a few big breaks into full-time careers:

Honourable Mentions: Other Poker Greats

While researching the depths of global poker history, modern trends, and rising stars, we relied heavily on verified data from the Global Poker Index, official WSOP bracelet records, and CardPlayer magazine’s long-running rankings. These sources track stats on more than 600,000 tournament poker players worldwide.

Even though we’ve already explored poker players with the most bracelets, the richest poker players in the world, the best modern poker players, and the most famous poker legends, there are still a few icons who deserve a spot on our radar. So let’s round things off with a handful of honourable mentions:

• Felton McCorquodale (Corky): A legendary US poker player who is believed to have brought Texas Hold’em to America. 
• James Butler Hickok (Wild Bill Hickok): One of the most famous Poker Hall of Fame players who actually died mid-game. According to popular myths, Wild Bill Hickok was shot while holding two pairs of Aces and Eights, after which the combination earned the name “Dead Man’s Hand.” 
• Thomas Preston (Amarillo Slim): A 4-time WSOP winner, Amarillo Slim was the host at Super Bowl of Poker, which almost rivaled the World Series of Poker in terms of popularity throughout the 1980s. 
• Jennifer Harman: Jennifer was counted among the first female World Series of Poker champions to win multiple bracelets. Apart from winning 2 main events, she has also made twelve WSOP final tables and two World Poker Tour final tables.

Conclusion: The Evolution of Poker Excellence

Poker has evolved dramatically over the years. In the early days, a single win at a prestigious event could cement your legacy, enough to earn fame, fortune, and perhaps even an early retirement.

These days, players are locked in decade-long marathons, competing over who’ll have more bracelets and titles. Everyone has a “poker face,” and bluffing is being taken to the next level, especially in online poker play. Poker psychology is being actively dissected in podcasts and seminars, and there are so many more layers to the “game” being played beneath the actual cards. 

No single metric defines greatness anymore. Some of the best poker players in the world built reputations on mind games and fearless aggression, while others rely on deep theoretical knowledge and consistent performance. The ongoing debate, whether World Series of Poker champions from decades ago could compete with today’s elite, will likely never have a clear answer.

What’s certain is that poker continues to evolve. As new legends rise through the ranks, the list of the greatest poker players will grow longer and more diverse. And somewhere, right now, the next contender is already grinding their way toward a future spot in the Poker Hall of Fame.