Top 10 Wealthiest Poker Players Worldwide
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Overview: Poker’s Multi-Millionaire Elite
Poker is a high-stakes world where massive fortunes are made and lost in a single session. Some poker professionals have built extraordinary net worths, thanks not only to tournament prizes but also endorsements, business interests, and media appearances. Curious who tops the chart when it comes to wealth accumulated through the game and beyond? Explore the most financially successful players in the industry below.
10. Antonio Esfandiari – $27 Million
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Antonio Esfandiari, a prominent figure on the poker scene, began his career as a magician and brought that flair to the poker felt. He has claimed three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and won three World Poker Tour (WPT) titles, his first being at the 2004 L.A. Poker Classic.
Esfandiari truly made headlines in 2012 by taking down the WSOP’s “Big One for One Drop,” netting a historic $18,346,673—the largest live poker payout at the time. He briefly held the number-one all-time tournament earner spot, later surpassed by Daniel Negreanu. With a blend of tournament success and public appeal, Esfandiari’s net worth stands at approximately $27 million.
9. Tony G – $36 Million
Image: Instagram/antanasguoga
Antanas Guoga, known globally as Tony G, stands out for his boisterous table talk and business acumen. While he’s made a mark with several six-figure poker cashes and 15 money finishes at the WSOP, most of his $36 million fortune stems from entrepreneurship. Tony G is not just active at the tables; he’s served in the European Parliament and is currently CEO of Cypherpunk Holdings, a tech investment company. Despite never winning a WSOP bracelet, his multifaceted career keeps him among poker’s wealthiest.
8. Justin Bonomo – $57 Million
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Justin Bonomo’s meteoric rise in both live and online tournaments has him regarded as one of the most skilled players of his generation. He has three WSOP bracelets and an astounding 55 cashes in WSOP events. Notably, Bonomo clinched $10 million after his victory in the 2018 “Big One for One Drop,” temporarily placing him at the top of the tournament earnings leaderboard. Beyond live tournaments, he’s dominated online events, further boosting his estimated net worth to $57 million.
7. Bryn Kenney – $57 Million
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Though perhaps less of a household name, Bryn Kenney’s results speak volumes—he’s amassed over $55 million in live tournament winnings, more than any player to date. Kenney has cashed 32 times at the WSOP and has one bracelet to his name. His biggest single prize came at the 2019 Triton Million in London, where through a deal with the chip leader, Kenney walked away with $20.5 million—the largest payout ever for a poker tournament finish. His combined poker earnings and financial savvy bring his net worth in line with the upper echelon at $57 million.
6. Daniel Negreanu – $70 Million
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Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu’s blend of charisma and talent has made him an icon. With six WSOP bracelets and the distinction of being the only dual WSOP Player of the Year, he’s also a Poker Hall of Famer. Negreanu has earned nearly $42 million from tournaments, rounding out his impressive fortune with lucrative sponsorships—first as the spokesperson for PokerStars and later GGPoker. His multi-faceted career keeps his net worth soaring around $70 million.
5. Doyle Brunson – $75 Million
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Few names are as legendary as Doyle Brunson’s in the poker world. With a career spanning decades, he won 10 WSOP bracelets, two of which were Main Event titles in consecutive years (1976 and 1977). Beyond tournaments, Brunson played ultra-high-stakes cash games and authored “Super System,” regarded as one of the foremost poker strategy books. While exact figures from his cash game exploits remain unknown, his official tournament winnings and other ventures place his wealth at about $75 million.
4. Chris Ferguson – $80 Million
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Chris Ferguson, known for his distinctive persona and analytical style, won the 2000 WSOP Main Event, claiming $1.5 million. Throughout his career, he tallied 168 WSOP money finishes and nearly $7 million in live tournament earnings. Ferguson’s financial success was amplified by business ventures, though his reputation suffered due to the Full Tilt Poker scandal. Still, his net worth is estimated to be approximately $80 million.
3. Sam Farha – $100 Million
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Sam Farha gained fame as the runner-up in the historic 2003 WSOP Main Event but has long been renowned in Omaha cash games. With three WSOP bracelets and a reputation in high-stakes poker circles, Farha supplemented his earnings through TV, movie appearances, and writing. Aside from poker, several business endeavors have contributed to his current estimated fortune of $100 million.
2. Phil Ivey – $125 Million
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Phil Ivey is hailed as one of poker’s all-time greats with 10 WSOP bracelets and countless titles to his name. He’s come close to Main Event glory, finishing 7th in 2009, and achieved victory at the 2014 Aussie Millions, collecting AU$4 million. Ivey is a feared force in high-stakes cash games, famously winning $16 million in just three days from billionaire Andy Beal. Ivey’s diverse poker accomplishments—as well as success in online and live formats—bring his total net worth to an estimated $125 million.
1. Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million
Image: Instagram/danbilzerian
Dan Bilzerian, often dubbed the “King of Instagram,” asserts that poker winnings are the primary source of his immense wealth. While his $200 million fortune is often debated—some attribute it to a trust fund and high-profile business ventures—Bilzerian’s lavish lifestyle and regular participation in high-stakes private games are undisputed. Despite never winning any major tournaments, his larger-than-life persona keeps him atop this list. His claims, such as earning $50 million from poker in a single year, have only added to his legend.
Exploring a Game of High Stakes and High Rewards
Poker has produced some of the world’s richest, most influential personalities—players who have leveraged skill, strategy, and self-promotion into enormous fortunes. Whether their wealth comes primarily from tournaments, business ventures, or the mystique surrounding private games, these poker elites all share an unbreakable connection with the game.
If you are inspired to try your hand at poker, professional resources and beginner-friendly tournaments can help you get started on your own poker journey.
