Top 10 Richest Poker Players In The World

Huge sums of money are earned and lost daily in the world of high-stakes poker. The best players in the world have no problem losing tens of thousands of dollars in a single session because they know they can make it all back the next time they play poker.

After factoring in their earnings from poker, endorsements, film appearances, and other sources, which professional poker players have the biggest bank accounts?Read on to discover the answer.

Top 10 Richest Poker Players In The World

1. Dan Bilzerian – $200 Million

Bilzerian, an enormous Instagram star, asserts that he has amassed the majority of his wealth from winning extremely high-stakes poker games.Given his numerous business endeavours, enormous social media following, and the fact that he got an undisclosed amount of money from a trust fund, many people doubt this assertion. Bilzerian has boasted about his poker skills to the tune of $50 million in 2014 alone, among other extravagant claims.The main source of his income, he says, is cash games, and he has never even won a big event. The internet celebrity has also been the subject of multiple arrests. It makes no difference where his wealth came from; he is, without a doubt, the wealthiest poker player on the planet.

Here are some additional details about Dan Bilzerian:

Bilzerian was born in 1980 in Tampa, Florida. He comes from a wealthy family – his father Paul Bilzerian was a corporate takeover specialist who was convicted of tax and securities fraud in the late 1980s.
Dan enrolled at the University of Florida in 1999 but dropped out after his freshman year. He then enlisted in the Navy and trained for the SEAL program but was kicked out before earning his trident.
After the military, Bilzerian started playing poker professionally in the 2000s, playing mostly cash games rather than tournaments. He claims to have turned his $750,000 trust fund into $187 million through poker winnings, though critics believe he made his fortune through his father’s dealings.
Bilzerian first gained notoriety when he was featured on the poker reality show High Stakes Poker in 2009. He then gained a massive social media following by flaunting his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, showing off cars, yachts, guns, and women.
In 2014, Bilzerian claimed to have won $50 million playing poker that year alone. However, poker analysts doubt that number based on his tournament results. Much of Bilzerian’s image is built around exaggerating his poker skills and winnings.
Bilzerian has been arrested several times, including for detonating homemade explosives in the desert in Nevada in 2007 and for kicking a woman at a nightclub in 2014. He lives a decadent, controversial lifestyle that has made him an Internet celebrity.

2. Phil Ivey – $125 Million

A lot of people think Phil Ivey is one of the best poker players ever. In 2009, he finished seventh at the Main Event after making it to the final table. With nine appearances in the final table, he has won one WPT title. In 2014, Ivey took home AU$4 million after taking first place in the Aussie Millions LK Boutique AU$250,000 Challenge, one of many big tournament prizes that he has won. In addition to his prowess on the internet, Ivey is a master of high-stakes cash games; he previously defeated Texan billionaire Andy Beal to the tune of $16 million in just three days.

Here are some key facts about poker player Phil Ivey:

Phil Ivey was born in 1976 in Riverside, California. His grandfather taught him to play poker at a young age.
Ivey played poker in Atlantic City casinos as a teenager using fake ID. He honed his skills playing against co-workers at a New Jersey telemarketing firm in the 1990s.
His first big tournament cash came in 2000 when he won $195,000 at the World Series of Poker for finishing first in a Pot Limit Omaha event.
Over his career, Ivey has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, tying Doyle Brunson for second all-time. He has also won a World Poker Tour title.
Ivey was a prominent member of the poker group “The Corporation” that played high stakes poker games in the early 2000s. They took on Texas billionaire Andy Beal in a series of famous high-stakes games.
Despite his tournament success, the bulk of Ivey’s winnings have come in cash games and private games against wealthy individuals. He is regarded as one of the best all-around cash game players in the world.
Ivey is known for his incredible skill at reading opponents and adapting his play. He’s managed to win millions playing various poker variants as well as non-traditional games like baccarat.
In recent years, Ivey has been involved in multiple high-profile lawsuits against casinos over alleged cheating at baccarat and other casino games using a technique called “edge sorting.”
While Ivey maintains his poker career winnings are around $100 million, some estimates put his total net worth closer to $250 million. He keeps the details of his private games hidden.

3. Sam Farha – $100 Million

Everyone in the poker community remembers Sam Farha from when he lost the 2003 Main Event to Chris Moneymaker. While the Lebanese poker player is recognised for his high-stakes Omaha cash game skill, he has won three bracelets from the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

Aside from his runner-up result in the 2010 WSOP $10,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship, Farha’s largest tournament victory to date was $488,241. His numerous commercial ventures, appearances in films and television, and books also contribute to his fortune.

Here are some key facts about poker player Sam Farha:

Sam Farha was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1959. His family moved to the U.S. when he was young and settled in Texas.
Farha learned to play poker as a teenager. He started off playing home games before progressing to casino games in Texas and Las Vegas.
He initially made his fortune in real estate investing and tobacco wholesale. This gave him a large bankroll to play high stakes poker games.
Farha is best known for his appearance in the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event where he finished as runner-up to Chris Moneymaker. Their heads-up match was featured in the movie “Rounders.”
Despite primarily being a cash game player, Farha has over $1.7 million in live poker tournament earnings. His biggest cash was $676,000 for his 2nd place finish in the 2003 WSOP Main Event.
Away from the tables, Farha is known for his flamboyant personality and fondness for expensive cigars. He earned the nickname “Sammy Farha” for his charismatic energy at the poker table.
Many poker analysts regard Farha as one of the best high-stakes cash game players in the world, specializing in Omaha High-Low and Seven Card Stud.
Farha has lost millions of dollars over the course of single cash game sessions but always rebounded with his real estate holdings and other business ventures.
His total net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, accumulated through cash games, real estate, and his tobacco company. Farha has lived a lavish lifestyle as one of poker’s biggest personalities.

4. Chris Ferguson – $80 Million

To claim that Chris Ferguson does not have the most fans among poker players would be an understatement. Approximately $444 million from Full Tilt Poker players was allegedly stolen by him and others in a huge Ponzi operation. Despite his subsequent public apology, many still felt it was too little, too late. In spite of his nefarious dealings, he is a fantastic player; in 2000, he won the WSOP Main Event and took home $1.5 million. A significant portion of his over $7 million in live event winnings comes from his 168 money finishes at the WSOP, which he achieved over the course of his career.

Here are some key facts about poker player Chris Ferguson:

Chris Ferguson was born in 1963 in Los Angeles, California. He has a Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA.
Ferguson learned poker as a grad student in the 1990s, developing his skills through online poker forums under the screenname “Jesus.” He’s known for his long brown hair and beard.
He won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2000, kicking off a very successful tournament poker career. Ferguson has won 5 WSOP bracelets and 2 World Poker Tour titles.
His most famous WSOP win came in 2000 when he won the Main Event, earning $1.5 million. This helped establish Ferguson as one of poker’s biggest stars in the 2000s.
Ferguson had a front row seat for the poker boom as a key member of the poker TV show “Celebrity Poker Showdown.” He also provided analysis on ESPN’s poker coverage.
In addition to poker earnings, Ferguson amassed wealth as an investor and promoter for the online poker site Full Tilt Poker. However, this led to scandal.
In 2011, Full Tilt Poker was accused of operating a Ponzi scheme. Ferguson was accused of defrauding players. He settled a lawsuit in 2016 without admitting wrongdoing.
The Full Tilt Poker scandal damaged Ferguson’s reputation greatly. He took an extended break from poker but returned to play high roller events in 2017.
Ferguson’s total live tournament poker earnings exceed $8.9 million. Estimates of his total net worth range from $80-$85 million from poker, investments and other business ventures.

5. Doyle Brunson – $75 Million

Among the all-time greats of poker, Doyle Brunson is well-known. He won the Main Event twice (in 1976 and 1977) and accumulated ten bracelets at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). At the Bellagio’s Bobby’s Room, the retiree was a regular player in cash games, such as a limit mixed-game poker game with blinds of $4,000 and $8,000.

In total, Brunson’s earnings from live tournaments exceed $6.1 million. It is unclear how much money he made playing cash games for huge stakes. His other sources of income include, among other things, the sales of his highly acclaimed poker strategy book, Super System.

Here are some key facts about legendary poker player Doyle Brunson:

Doyle Brunson was born in 1933 in Longworth, Texas. He played college basketball for Hardin-Simmons University before a leg injury ended his career.
Brunson began playing poker in illegal games in Texas to make ends meet. He made enough to transition to Las Vegas in the 1960s and played in casinos and cash games.
Brunson authored the seminal poker strategy book “Super System” in 1978 which helped popularize poker theory and cemented him as a poker legend.
He’s won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets in his career, including back-to-back Main Event wins in 1976 and 1977. He’s tied with Johnny Chan for second all-time in bracelets.
Brunson was one of the original players in the famous “Texas Dolly” poker game at Binion’s Horseshoe casino which featured top players vying for million dollar pots.
His aggressive style and charisma at the poker table earned him the nickname “Texas Dolly.” Brunson played a key role as poker’s popularity boomed in the 1980s.
In addition to poker, Brunson has earned money through real estate, book sales, and endorsements. He was also involved early with online poker site DoylesRoom.com
Brunson retired from tournament poker in 2018 at age 85, but claims he still plays cash games regularly in Vegas. His career tournament earnings exceed $6.1 million.
Estimates of Doyle Brunson’s total net worth range from $75-$80 million. Now in his late 80s, he’s still considered a pillar of the poker community after 70+ years in the game.

6. Daniel Negreanu – $70 Million

When it comes to poker, nobody is more well-known than Daniel Negreanu. He is one of the wealthiest poker players in the world, because to his charisma and talent, which have won him legions of followers. The first player to ever win the World Series of Poker Player of the Year award twice, “Kid Poker” also has six bracelets to his name. The Poker Hall of Fame also counts him among its members. In addition to his over $42 million in tournament winnings, Negreanu has amassed a sizeable fortune from sponsorship deals, the most lucrative of which saw him become the face of PokerStars.

Here are some key facts about poker player Daniel Negreanu:

Daniel Negreanu was born in 1974 in Toronto, Canada. He picked up poker as a teenager and dropped out of high school at 16 to play full time, despite his parents’ disapproval.
“Kid Poker” earned his first major tournament cash in 1997 at the WSOP Main Event and was named Card Player Magazine’s Player of the Year in 2004.
Negreanu is the all-time leader in live tournament poker earnings with over $43 million cashed. He’s won 6 WSOP bracelets and 2 WPT titles in his prolific career.
He was one of the key members of the poker team on PokerStars online poker card room. As an ambassador and sponsored pro since 2007, he became the face of the largest online poker site.
Negreanu is known for reading his opponents well and employing aggressive strategies. As a vegan, he also adheres to a very healthy diet and lifestyle away from the tables.
As well as poker, Negreanu is a pool hustler, an accomplished DJ, an author and has made cameos in film/TV shows. He starred in short-lived reality shows about his poker life.
In 2019, Negreanu was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the greatest poker players in history.
Despite losing millions recently playing high stakes games versus Doug Polk, Negreanu’s total net worth is estimated to be around $70 million from poker winnings and endorsement deals.

7. Bryn Kenney – $57 Million

One of the more obscure players here is Bryn Kenney of the United States. Even though he has only ever won one WSOP bracelet, he has made the money thirty-two times. He has won more than $55 million in tournaments, putting him in first place among all-time earners. Perhaps Kenney’s most notable accomplishment is becoming the first person to ever win the largest prize in a poker tournament. At London’s 2019 Triton Million charity event, he took home more than $20.5 million. He finished in second place, but he won the bigger prize because he struck a deal with the winner, Aaron Zang, while he was leading in chips.

Bryn Kenney was born in New York in 1986. He learned poker in high school and dropped out of college to pursue poker full time.
Kenney started off playing online under the screenname “lilholdem954”. He earned millions playing high stakes online cash games before Black Friday.
He transitioned to live tournaments in the 2010s and racked up over $56 million in cashes. He’s won one WSOP bracelet and a WPT title.
Kenney hit the headlines in 2019 when he won $20.5 million by topping the TRIPTPAKKER Series of Poker Super High Roller event. This is the largest single live tournament poker payout ever.
Despite his tournament success, the bulk of Kenney’s fortune still comes from high stakes cash games, especially Short Deck and No Limit Hold’em.
The reclusive Kenney travels the world playing nosebleed stakes poker games. He is rumored to receive backing from wealthy Asian businessmen.
Kenney lives in a secret penthouse in Vegas to be close to the biggest cash games in town. He’s known as a tough, aggressive poker player.
In addition to poker, Kenney is said to be an accomplished break dancer who enjoys activities like BMX biking and skiing.
His total net worth is estimated to be around $55-60 million, primarily accumulated through high stakes cash games and tournaments over the past decade.

8. Justin Bonomo – $57 Million

Justin Bonomo, who has had phenomenal success in both online and live competitions, is up next. He has cashed 55 times and won three bracelets at the World Series of Poker. In 2020, he took home first place at the Super High Roller Bowl Online, one of several major online tournaments that he has won. A ten million dollar windfall and the title of all-time leading live tournament money winner were Bonomo’s greatest achievements in 2018, when he triumphed in the “Big One for One Drop” event.

Here are some key facts about poker player Justin Bonomo:

Justin Bonomo was born in 1985 in New York. He started playing online poker in college, dropping out of school in 2006 to pursue poker full time.
Online, Bonomo played high stakes cash games under the screennames “ZeeJustin” and “JBQA”. He suffered big losses early in his career before recovering.
Bonomo broke through on the live tournament circuit in 2012 when he won the $1 million buy-in Big One for One Drop event, earning $10.8 million.
In 2018, Bonomo won 3 WSOP bracelets and topped the All Time Money List with over $44 million in tournament earnings.
His biggest score was taking down the $1 million buy-in 2018 WSOP Big One for One Drop for $10 million. This helped cement his status as an elite high roller player.
Outside of poker, Bonomo is an avid Magic: The Gathering player. He credits his success to lessons learned in the trading card game.
Despite primarily playing tournaments, Bonomo has also won and lost millions playing online and live cash games throughout his career.
Estimates of Bonomo’s total net worth range from $55-$60 million. At just 33 years old, he figures to be a powerhouse on the high roller poker scene for years to come.
With his young age and ultra-aggressive playing style, some regard Bonomo as the future face of high-stakes tournament poker.

9. Tony G – $36 Million

One of the most gregarious and vocal poker players in the world is Tony G, whose true name is Antanas Guoga. He has achieved great success in business and is now a politician serving in the European Parliament. Despite making the money fifteen times, he has never taken home a WSOP bracelet. Many six-figure sums have been won by Tony G in his poker career. However, his commercial endeavours account for the vast majority of his riches. Cypherpunk Holdings, an investment firm traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange, is headed by him as its chief executive officer.

Here are some key facts about poker player Tony G:

Antanas “Tony G” Guoga was born in 1973 in Kaunas, Lithuania. He immigrated to Australia in his late teens where he got involved in real estate and investments.
Tony G took up poker initially as a hobby in the early 2000s, playing home games with other Lithuanian immigrants in Melbourne.
He started playing tournaments in the Asia Pacific region before gaining notoriety on the European Poker Tour where he was known for his brash antics.
Tony G parlayed his poker fame into business and political endeavors – he owned poker sites TonyGPoker.com and PokerNews.com and was elected to the European Parliament in 2014.
Despite his success, Tony G is one of poker’s most polarizing figures due to his aggressive behavior at the tables including taunting opponents and breaking poker etiquette norms.
While skilled, Tony G is regarded as a loose-aggressive recreational player rather than a poker professional. He has just shy of $3 million in career tournament earnings.
The bulk of Tony G’s wealth actually comes from previous business ventures including real estate investing and tech companies like AntZoo and Adrenaline.
Tony G’s current net worth is estimated to be around $36 million, though he has been prone to exaggerating his poker results and wealth.
The outspoken poker personality remains a staple in televised high stakes cash games and tournaments due to his unpredictable behavior.

10. Antonio Esfandiari – $27 Million

This ranking of the wealthiest poker players features Antonio Esfandiari, one of the most famous names in the game, at number ten. During his career, the former magician earned three bracelets from the World Series of Poker. He also won three titles from the World Poker Tour, the first of which was the 2004 L.A. Poker Classic. After winning the “Big One for One Drop” event at the WSOP in 2012, Esfandiari’s greatest victory to date came in the same year. Because of this, he was able to walk away with the then-record-breaking sum of $18,346,673. Prior to Daniel Negreanu stealing his crown, he had the most money won in tournaments.

Here are some key facts about poker player Antonio Esfandiari:

Antonio Esfandiari was born in 1978 in Tehran, Iran. His family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when he was 9 years old. He picked up poker as a teenager.
He started off playing mid-stakes poker games in LA card rooms. He was involved in the underground poker scene and developed a flair for chip tricks and banter.
Esfandiari first came to prominence by winning back-to-back World Poker Tour titles in 2004 earning him the nickname “The Magician.”
In 2012, he won the largest single payout in live tournament history at $18.3 million for taking down the Big One for One Drop event.
With over $27 million in career earnings, Esfandiari ranks #2 all-time behind Daniel Negreanu. He’s won 3 WSOP bracelets.
Esfandiari has appeared frequently on poker TV shows thanks to his outgoing personality. He’s also known for his opulent Las Vegas lifestyle funded by poker winnings.
While skilled at various poker variants, Esfandiari is regarded more as an entertainer than cerebral pro. His bombastic style produces big swings at the tables.
In addition to poker, Esfandiari does commercials, acted in some small roles and has hosted a cryptocurrency centered web show.
His current net worth is estimated around $27 million. Despite losing some recent high roller events, the flashy Esfandiari remains one of poker’s biggest stars.