Olusegun Taiye James
It is difficult to make accurate predictions regarding the top 10 greatest poker players in the world for the year 2025 owing to the dynamic nature of the game, which is characterized by players’ performance fluctuation and the emergence of new talents. On the other hand, the following is a list of prospective competitors for the top spot in 2025, based on their consistent performance in high-stakes tournaments, their victories in tournaments, and their overall reputation within the poker community:
List Of Top 10 Best Poker Players In The World 2025
1. Justin Bonomo
Born on September 30, 1985, Justin “ZeeJustin” Bonomo has established himself as one of the most accomplished and respected individuals in the world of high-stakes poker. He will be remembered for his contributions to the industry. Having risen through the ranks of a competitive Magic: The Gathering player, Bonomo was able to make a smooth transition from his strategic prowess to the felt. At the age of just 19, he became the youngest player to ever appear at a broadcast final table. As of the month of April 2025, Bonomo’s profits from live tournaments have surpassed $65.5 million, which places him in second place on the coveted Hendon Mob All-Time Money List. This astronomical number is a testament to his constant performance and dominance in some of the most significant poker events that have ever taken place somewhere in the globe.
2. Bryn Kenney
Since her birth on November 1, 1986, Bryn Kenney has become a name that is linked with success in high-stakes poker. As of April 2025, he is at the top of the coveted Hendon Mob All-Time Money List, which is a testament to his tremendous career and indisputable aptitude at the game. His live tournament earnings have exceeded $65 million, which helps him maintain his position on the list. On the other hand, Kenney’s rise to the top of the poker world has been distinguished by both great accomplishments and big disputes, which paints a complicated image of one of the most talked-about people in the game.
3. Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu, who was born on July 26, 1974, is more than just a poker player; he is responsible for representing the game all over the world. For more than twenty years, “Kid Poker” has been a dominant and well-liked figure in the world of poker. He is known for his contagious enthusiasm, his uncanny ability to “read” opponents, and his trophy case that is stuffed with accolades about his accomplishments. As of April 2025, his earnings from live tournaments have surpassed $52 million, which places him firmly within the top ten of the Hendon Mob All-Time Money List.
4. Stephen Chidwick
In the world of high-stakes poker, Stephen Chidwick, who was born on May 10, 1989, is a name that is revered and respected. This unassuming British professional has quietly amassed a staggering record of success, solidifying his reputation as one of the most consistently dominant and technically brilliant players in the modern era. He also goes by the name “Chidwick” in live tournaments. He is frequently referred to as “stevie2121” online. In April of 2025, his earnings from live tournaments amounted to more than $54 million, which places him firmly within the top echelon of the all-time money list.
5. Jason Koon
In the world of high-stakes poker, the name Jason Koon, which was born on May 14, 1985, is synonymous with power and unyielding determination. Koon has carved out a remarkable career for himself, consistently battling and frequently prevailing over the most difficult fields in the game. He is known for his intense focus, relentless aggression, and exceptional physical conditioning. His earnings from live tournaments have reached over $56 million as of April 2025, firmly establishing him as one of the most successful players in the history of the Hendon Mob All-Time Money List.
6. Erik Seidel
A. Seidel, Erik. In the world of professional poker, which is frequently loud and boisterous, the name itself carries a certain weight, a quiet gravitas that speaks volumes about the player. Seidel, who was born on November 6, 1959, has not only been a witness to the development of the game but has also been a consistent and formidable force within it for more than three decades because of his birth date. As of April 2025, his earnings from live tournaments have surpassed a staggering $47 million, which places him among the top ten on the prestigious Hendon Mob All-Time Money List. However, beyond the impressive statistics lies a player who is shrouded in a certain mystique. He is a “silent assassin” who allows his unrivaled skill and unwavering focus to speak louder than any table talk.
7. David Peters
One David Peters. It is possible that the name does not always command the same level of awe and admiration as some of the more flamboyant personalities in the world of poker; however, within the high-stakes circuit, it reverberates with a profound sense of respect and quiet dominance. Peters was born on June 16, 1987, and he has meticulously crafted a career that is characterized by consistent excellence, strategic brilliance, and an unwavering dedication to the complexities of the game. When April 2025 rolls around, his earnings from live tournaments have surpassed $45 million, firmly establishing him as one of the most accomplished players in the history of poker.
8. Dan Smith
One Dan Smith. Within the realm of high-stakes poker, the name has become synonymous with unrelenting aggression, unyielding concentration, and a fiercely competitive spirit. Smith, who was born on July 14, 1988 (although some sources incorrectly cite 1989 as the year of birth, 1988 is the year that is generally accepted), has carved out a path of remarkable success through sheer dedication and a constant drive to improve. The fact that he has earned more than $48 million from live tournaments as of April 2025 has cemented his position as one of the most accomplished players in the game and established him as a formidable opponent in any competition he participates in.
9. Fedor Holz
It was Fedor Holz. The sound of the name reverberates throughout the contemporary poker landscape with a quality that is almost mythical. With an unprecedented string of victories in 2016, the German prodigy known online as “CrownUpGuy” redefined what was possible in the world of tournament poker. He burst onto the high-stakes scene with a string of victories that had never been seen before. Despite the fact that he appears to have taken a break from the nonstop grind of live tournaments, his influence on the game is still significant, and the fact that he continues to participate in certain high-stakes tournaments keeps the poker world on its toes. It is a testament to his meteoric rise and exceptional talent that his earnings from live tournaments have reached over $40 million as of April 2025.
10. Phil Ivey
Mr. Phil Ivey. Simply uttering the name conjures up an air of mystique, a legend that is whispered in hushed tones throughout the entire poker community around the world. Ivey’s unrivaled skill, intense focus, and uncanny ability to read opponents have solidified his position as a true icon of the game of poker. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest poker players of all time. The story of how Ivey went from the smoky backrooms of Atlantic City to the highest stakes tables in the world is a captivating tale of raw talent that was honed by relentless dedication. Ivey was born on February 1, 1977 in Riverside, California. As of April 2025, his earnings from live tournaments have surpassed $40 million. This figure, while impressive, was only scratching the surface of his overall poker winnings, which are rumored to be significantly higher due to his legendary cash game prowess.
