The Top 10 Highest-Earning Poker Players of All Time
Top poker players by earnings have become global icons, turning tournament success into millions of dollars. From Bryn Kenney to Phil Ivey, this list showcases the elite players who have earned the most in live poker tournaments.
📈 The Rise of Poker Tournaments
Poker tournament popularity began in the 1970s, when the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) was held in Las Vegas. The inaugural Main Event had just 7 participants. Today, tens of thousands play in the WSOP series every year.
In 2003, live poker broadcasts and the rise of online poker led to a global boom. When amateur Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event and turned an $86 satellite into a $2.5 million payday, interest in the game skyrocketed. The number of Main Event entries tripled the following year.
Modern players spend thousands of hours studying and refining their strategy using advanced poker tools. As a result, poker earnings have reached new heights.
Let’s look at the top poker players by earnings, ranked by all-time live tournament winnings.
1. Bryn Kenney – $65 Million
The all-time leader in live poker earnings, Bryn Kenney began cashing in tournaments in 2007. His biggest win came in the 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series, where he took home $20.6 million—the largest single payout in live poker history.
2. Justin Bonomo – $61.9 Million
Justin Bonomo is one of the most successful modern poker pros. He won his first WSOP bracelet in 2017 and secured a massive $10 million by winning The Big One for One Drop in 2018.
3. Stephen Chidwick – $51.7 Million
The top British player, Stephen Chidwick, dominates high roller events. His first seven-figure cash came in 2018, and in 2019 he finally won his first WSOP bracelet.
4. Daniel Negreanu – $51.3 Million
Canadian poker legend Daniel Negreanu has won six WSOP bracelets and was named WSOP Player of the Year twice. He remains the only “old school” pro on this list competing at the highest level.
5. Jason Koon – $51.2 Million
Known for both Texas Hold’em and Short Deck, Jason Koon won his first WSOP bracelet in 2021. He has multiple seven-figure scores, including $3.5 million in a Triton Short Deck event.
Final Overview – Top 10 Highest-Earning Live Tournament Players:
- Dan Smith – $45.3 million
- David Peters – $43.8 million
- Erik Seidel – $43.5 million
- Mikita Badziakouski – $43.2 million
- Phil Ivey – $40.8 million
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