The best poker players. They have (or had at one point in time) millions of dollars, and their bluffs are stone cold. Curious who they are? At a first glance, one might be tempted to think that poker is just another gambling game. However, unlike other games in this category, there’s more to poker than meets the eye, as it is not entirely based on luck. There is a lot of strategizing, thinking, and patience behind every hand won and anyone who wants to make it as a poker pro has to put in a lot of effort.
There are people who have managed to transform what others view as a simple card game into a career. A successful career, no less. We would like to present you with 5 of the most successful professional poker players around. While they aren’t quite as wealthy as the richest people in the world, these guys can hold their own–and then some.
No. 5: Phil Hellmuth
Photo Credit: Jason Empey
Poker Winnings: $15,821,111
Game of Choice: Texas Hold’Em
Hellmuth started playing poker during his college years, but he ended up dropping out in order to concentrate on becoming a professional; and that is exactly what he did. He even holds one hard to beat and highly unlikely record: three World Series of Poker wins in a row, in three consecutive days (April 26, 27, and 28, 1993).
No. 4: Erik Seidel
Photo Credit: V1LL14N
Poker Winnings: $17,647,446
Game of Choice: No Limit Hold’Em
Erik Seidel first started out as a player in professional backgammon. After 8 years in the industry, he turned to the stock market before finally making it to professional poker. The last hand played by Seidel in his first major tournament, the World Series of 1988, was even featured in a movie called “Rounders.” He ended up losing that hand and came in second in the tournament but he has more than made up since, by becoming one of the most successful pro players around.
Continue reading to learn more about the best poker players in the world:
No. 3: Daniel Negreanu
Photo Credit: Images_of_Money
Poker Winnings: $18,392,103
Game of Choice: No Limit Omaha
Dubbed “Kid Poker,” Negreanu started playing poker at the age of 15. By the time he was 21, the Romanian-descent Canadian was so confident in his poker skills that he decided to drop out of college and move to Las Vegas to focus on his professional career. Nowadays, his cool, calm, and collective demeanor continues to inspire poker players worldwide.
No. 2: Sam Trickett
Photo Credit: Play Among Friends
Poker Winnings: $18,737,574
Game of Choice: No Limit Hold’Em
After a knee injury abruptly ended his promising soccer-career, Trickett turned his attention to professional poker. This turned out to be the Brit’s best move as in just 8 years he became the second-best paid professional player in the industry.
No. 1: Antonio Esfandiari
Photo Credit: Plutor
Poker Winnings: over $24 million
Game of Choice: Texas Hold’Em
One could say that Iranian native Antonio Esfandiari is living the American dream, though it wouldn’t have seemed likely judging by his beginnings. After moving to California at the age 9, Esfandiari was consistently bullied and teased as a child. A fallout with his father lead to a drop in his academic achievements and he juggled around with magic tricks for some time during his adolescence. After playing some amateur poker for two years, Antonio quit his job as a waiter and left his magic routines behind to focus on becoming a professional poker player. He has more than managed that, wouldn’t you say?
