Who Are the Best Poker Players of All Time?
Taking a Stab at the Top 5 Card Studs
And the Aces Are …
There have been many great poker players through the decades who have made casino news. There is reverence given to those who were around decades ago and were integral players as the game boomed into what it is today. This is a list of players who made a difference not only those who made a lot of money.
As we know, the amount being played for and earned in 2025 is far different than what hands were at stake in 1975. That in no way diminishes what the founding fathers of the poker boom did or how they played.
Each had/has their unique style and science to become one of the best of all time. The players might question how others approach card games but no one in the poker universe will doubt the success their playing has brought.
5. Johnny Chan
A great story is Johnny Chan who started playing at 11 when his family came to the USA from Hong Kong. That’s a young age to learn the tricks and nuances of poker. Chan went on to win the WSOP in 1987 and ‘88. His victory in the latter year would become fodder for the script of Rounders. He has 10 WSOP bracelets.
Just another day w Steve O. my buddy and Johnny F’n Chan #WSOP pic.twitter.com/TgsJomr50I
— Rich Coleman (@grcoleman33) July 11, 2023
4. Johnny Moss
The opposite of Chan, this Johnny became a big deal when he was in his 60s. He won main events in the WSOP in 1970, ‘71, and ‘74 en route to nine total bracelets. The Grand Old Man of Poker earned his final bracelet in 1988 at the age of 81.
3. Daniel Negreanu
A legend at the poker table and outside the card world who has a brilliant mind when it came to embracing opportunities online casinos could provide for the masses. Daniel Negreanu has brought and taught many current players through YouTube and training courses.
That’s someone who understood the changing culture of poker and the social media universe. Negreanu has two WPT titles, and six WSOP bracelets. The Canadian has cashed in more than 280 major tournaments and has earned more than $45 million in real money. A true legend.
2. Phil Helmuth
Known as The Poker Brat, Phil Helmuth has 17 bracelets. That is well in front of the other players who have come away with the coveted prizes. He won his first at 24 in 1989 and has continued to be a dominant force in cards and chips through the years and decades.
1. Doyle Brunston
The legend of legends when it comes to poker games. The late Doyle Brunson was everything poker. Before cards became his forte, he was a track star in high school. He went to Abilene Christian and was a good enough player to be considered for the NBA draft by the Minneapolis Lakers, yes Minneapolis, not Los Angeles.
A look back at Doyle Brunson’s 10th @WSOP bracelet win.#RIPDoyle pic.twitter.com/CD2y23XIK9
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) May 15, 2023
A knee injury ended his NBA dream and paved the way for a legendary career as a poker player. As an authong his 1979 book Super/System changed the business. He won the 1976 and ‘77 main events at the WSOP. How about this for WSOP cashes: 1972 (3rd), 1980, 1982 (4th), 1983 (3rd), 1997 (16th), 2004 (53rd), and 2013 (409th). The two wins were winner-take-all and not considered as cashes. This didn’t diminish his iconic status.
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