In a world where mental strategy and nerve are worth millions, some poker players have established themselves as veritable titans. Their wealth comes not just from luck, but from years of experience, a keen sense of psychological reading, and controlled audacity. Here are ten of the richest and most influential poker players of 2025 who are shaping the pinnacles of world poker today.
1. Bryn Kenney: The phenomenon at the top
Estimated winnings: €66+ million
Bryn Kenney has been dominating the rankings for several years now. His spectacular rise came to fruition in 2019 when he took down $20.5 million (around €18 million) in a single tournament – the biggest individual win in poker history to date.
Kenney is known for his ability to adapt to any opponent. He continues to compete in high roller tournaments around the world, cementing his place as a key figure in modern poker.
2. Justin Bonomo: The ruthless analyst
Estimated winnings: €57+ million
Justin Bonomo is another name etched in poker history. Known for his discipline and analytical approach, he has won countless prestigious tournaments, including several Super High Roller Bowls and World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets.
What sets Bonomo apart is his consistency: he performs year after year against the world’s elite. His strategy is based as much on game theory as on the psychology of his opponents.
3. Stephen Chidwick: The mastermind of British poker
Estimated winnings: €56+ million
Originally from the UK, Stephen Chidwick is considered one of the most technical and respected players on the circuit. He has often been cited by his peers as one of the toughest players to play against.
He shines particularly in tournaments with complex structures and is characterised by an almost inhuman composure, even under maximum pressure.
4. Mikita Badziakouski: The Belarusian ace
Estimated winnings: €53+ million
Mikita Badziakouski has established himself as a major name in European poker. A discreet player, he has made a name for himself thanks to exceptional performances in high stakes tournaments.
His mastery of post-flop play and his ability to make bold decisions have earned him victories over the best. He regularly participates in the Triton Series, where he has won several million.
5. Jason Koon: The poker athlete
Estimated winnings: 52+ million euros
A former university athlete, Jason Koon has managed to channel his sporting discipline into the world of poker. A former GGPoker ambassador, he is considered one of the most professional players on the circuit.
His impressive physique and ability to remain calm in all circumstances make him a formidable opponent in high-stakes games.
6. Dan Smith: The selfless strategist
Estimated winnings: €51+ million
Dan Smith is not only one of the best poker players in the world; he is also renowned for his philanthropic commitment. He has donated millions to charitable causes through his ‘Double Up Drive’ initiative.
As a player, Smith excels in the art of measured bluffing and calculated pressure. He is a regular at the final tables of the most prestigious tournaments.
7. Daniel Negreanu: The living legend
Estimated winnings: €48+ million
An iconic figure in world poker, Daniel Negreanu has embodied the game for more than two decades. With six WSOP bracelets to his name, his style has evolved over the years.
Negreanu remains a benchmark for a whole generation of players. Very active on social networks and YouTube, he popularises poker while continuing to perform in major tournaments.
8. Adrián Mateos: The prodigious Spaniard
Estimated earnings: 45+ million euros
Still young, Adrián Mateos is already one of Europe’s most successful players. At just 19, he had already won a WSOP bracelet. Since then, he has been racking up success after success on the international circuit.
Mateos is renowned for his quick reading of situations and his ability to put his opponents in uncomfortable positions. Today he is a role model for young European players.
9. Isaac Haxton: The poker intellectual
Estimated winnings: €44+ million
A former student of computer science and philosophy, Isaac Haxton is renowned for his extraordinary intelligence. He is one of the pioneers of online poker and has succeeded in transferring his skills to the biggest live stages.
Haxton excels in short-deck and high roller formats. His approach is purely mathematical, but he never forgets the human psychology.
10. Fedor Holz: The retired genius… or almost
Estimated winnings: €43+ million
Fedor Holz has made poker history with a lightning career. Between 2016 and 2018, he amassed tens of millions thanks to some incredible performances. Now partially retired from the circuit, he continues to play the big tournaments on a selective basis.
He is also the head of Primed Mind, a company dedicated to mental optimisation – proof that his strategic mind is not limited to poker.
Beyond tournaments: Wealth that’s hard to quantify
When we talk about the world’s poker elite, the figures associated with their tournament winnings can be impressive: tens of millions of dollars won at events that are covered by the media, broadcast on television and followed by millions of fans. But this image only reflects part of the reality.
The truth is that tournaments are just the tip of the iceberg.
Many of the richest professionals – such as Bryn Kenney, Justin Bonomo and Fedor Holz – also take part in ultra-private cash games, far from the cameras and public rankings. These games take place in exclusive venues, such as Macau‘s VIP lounges or the closed tables of online poker platforms with very high stakes.
In these contexts :
- No official data is recorded.
- The stakes can reach several hundred thousand dollars per hand.
- Profits (or losses) can far exceed those generated in tournaments.
In other words, real fortunes are often underestimated. Some players earn more in these closed circles than on the entire official circuit, but this income remains invisible to traditional databases such as Hendon Mob or the WSOP archives.This is why these estimates should be treated with caution: a poker player’s wealth is measured not just in bracelets, but also in chips won away from the spotlight.