Poker is one of the most favorite card games in the world. A considerable number of these players have become internationally acclaimed and wealthy through this thrilling game.
These 10 celebrated poker players, whether they engage in high-stakes contests or casual matches with friends, made the game better and showed that destiny ties with proficiency.
Doyle Brunson
Poker’s icon was Doyle Brunson. He taught millions more how to play while publishing one of the all-time greatest books on poker – Super/System.
Born and raised in Longworth, Texas, sports were more appealing to him as a young boy than cards. Hardin-Simmons University basketball team played for him; but knee injuries led him into poker instead of basketball.
He participated alongside Amarillo Slim, Puggy Pearson and Sailor Roberts in high-stakes games as well as playing against Nick the Greek for five months; Brunson left behind Louise his wife of 56 years as well as Todd his son.
Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu has become one of the world’s best-known poker players. After dropping out from High School in Toronto where he sharpened his skills before moving to Vegas-where he won six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and turned into one among the highest paid poker players-Daniel became famous worldwide because he was a skilled player who earned huge money playing.
This same lesson is passed on by Boston Rob to his kids explaining that adaptability and persistence are key aspects when playing poker if you intend to win. Nevertheless, it becomes tough sometimes juggling between family life and poker when busy at WSOP.
With guest appearances on various TV shows about gambling and even participating in private tournaments with celebrities like Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), he has grown very successful after becoming an online professional gambler himself.
Phil Hellmuth Jr.
While at University of Wisconsin, Hellmuth became one of the youngest World Champions of Poker ever after starting out in low-stakes games at student union where he dominated competition within a short period before dropping out three years later to focus on poker fulltime.
He possesses nine World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets — second only to Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan. Her wife Katherine, their two sons and his wife Katherine – a Stanford University psychiatrist have been living in Palo Alto, California; charity tournaments which he hosts benefitting Heifer International help develop communities all over the world.
T.J. Cloutier
Cloutier specializes in pot-limit and no-limit Omaha tournament poker play with four top 10 finishes at the WSOP main event final table. Additionally, he has won numerous high stakes cash games.
Moneymaker’s victory in the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event was a turning point that changed poker forever and made it mainstream. Now a famous Tennessee accountant, Moneymaker became legendary after his improbable win and kick-started an unparalleled poker boom which changed our world forever.
These are remarkable players who brought about their exceptional aptitude as well as captivating personalities thereby inspiring an entire generation towards reaching for their destinies.
Ted Forrest
Forrest is one of the world’s top poker pro-players: He has an extensive resume full of many prestigious wins at tournaments like the World Series of Poker (1993) where he won three bracelets, seven-card stud, Omaha hi-lo and Razz.
But he continued to win at the series until he took a break to focus on cash games instead. Yet in 2004 he came back to WSOP and scored two more bracelets.
Forrest also has a reputation on the circuit for big bets in prop bets that are not official. Additionally, Forrest put together The Corporation which was a group of high-stakes poker pros who pooled their resources so as to beat out Texas billionaire Andy Beal in ultra high-stakes matches.
Erick Lindgren
Lindgren’s analytical approach and strategic play set him apart from his peers and have been featured on numerous poker magazine covers such as Card Player Magazine.
He wrote a book on how to play poker, is involved in charity work, supports effective altruism – an approach where by people seek to increase their positive impacts – that seeks maximization.
These legends changed everything about poker: from high-stakes tournaments all the way through casual round-tables with friends. Furthermore, they remain inspiring lives and influences for those looking towards becoming today’s professional players as well as shaping our perceptions about this lovely game with cards.
