Updated on April 20, 2023

Determining a poker player’s wealth isn’t easy. But it seems many poker fans have a deep interest in those who have scored well at the tables. Some poker players have won big events and plenty of cash to build their wealth through the years. Others have found success in other areas of life.

With that in mind, here’s a look at 25 players who have amassed some money while enjoying a seat at the poker table.

The list is divided into two sections –

1. One for players who made their fortunes mostly in the business world but enjoy some high-stakes action.
2. The second section focuses on traditional poker players who scored plenty of winnings on the felt.

25 of the richest poker players in the world are:

Business and Entertainment

1. Andy Beal 
2. Guy Laliberte
3. Bobby Baldwin
4. Paul Phua
5. Elton Tsang
6. Jennifer Tilly
7. Chris “Jesus” Ferguson
8. Dan Bilzerian
9. Bill Perkins
10. Richard Yong

Poker Millionaires

Business and Entertainment

1. Andy Beal Net Worth

The founder and owner of Beal Financial in Dallas has an estimated net worth of almost $6 billion. No doubt his poker bankroll is pretty large. He’s known for a series of heads-up Limit Hold’em matches with some of the game’s best poker players in the 2000s. 

Playing at some of the highest stakes imaginable, Beal took on a group of Las Vegas poker pros including – 

• Todd Brunson
• Howard Lederer
• Jennifer Harmon
• Barry Greenstein
• Ted Forrest, and others

Beal is believed to have won one of the largest cash game pots in poker history for $11.7 million. Michael Craig’s classic poker book The Professor, The Banker, and the Suicide King details the entire series of matchups.

Beal, 67, was still heading to play in Vegas high-stakes cash games even as late as 2016.

• Source of wealth – Commercialbanking
• Estimated net worth – $6 billion
• Poker highlights – Played heads-up Limit Hold’em against some of the best players in the world for millions of dollars

2. Guy Laliberte Net Worth

This French-Canadian entrepreneur has played in some of the biggest events and cash games around. That includes playing online poker at some nosebleed stakes. Laliberte is a former street performer. According to Forbes, he eventually parlayed his interest in the arts into a $2.5-billion net worth.

The 60-year-old co-founded Cirque du Soleil, which now boasts shows throughout the world including several in Las Vegas. He sold 90 percent of the company in 2015. He also co-founded the One Drop Foundation. The organisation provides freshwater initiatives for underserved areas of the world.

One Drop has been a regular charity for poker players at the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

• Source of wealth – entrepreneur, founder of Cirque du Soleil
• Estimated net worth – $2.5 billion
• Poker highlights – Helped found the $1 million Big One for One Drop tournament at the WSOP

Check out Guy’s Cirque du Soleil in action:

3. Bobby Baldwin Net Worth

Bobby Baldwin is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He parlayed his skill at poker into a highly-successful career as a casino executive. Currently aged 70, he won the World Series of Poker Main Event back in 1978 for $210,000. 

Only 28-years-old, at the time, he was the youngest ever to do so.

In 1984, he was hired by casino impresario Steve Wynn as president of the Golden Nugget and later the Mirage in 1987.

In 1998, he became president of the Bellagio. A year later, he was named CFO of Mirage Resorts, then CEO of the merged MGM-Mirage corporation. He headed up the company’s CityCenter project in 2005 (home of the Aria).

In 2018 Baldwin left MGM and is now CEO of Drew Las Vegas, a new casino resort expected to open in Las Vegas by 2020. 

His net worth is estimated at $20 million.

• Source of wealth – Worked as casino industry executive
• Estimated net worth – $20 million
• Poker highlights – Won WSOP Main Event in 1978

4. Paul Phua Net Worth

This 56-year-old Malaysian businessman has become one of the famous poker players in the world of high-stakes Asian poker. A regular at nosebleed stakes games, Phua runs a VIP Macau casino junket business for wealthy Chinese gamblers. He worked with Steve Wynn to help open the Wynn casino in Macau. 

As ESPN has also reported, Phuais rumoured to run bookmaking operations. He’s believed to have a net worth of more than $400 million with $19 million in live tournament winnings.

A regular at high rollers and some of the world's biggest cash games, Phua has numerous six-and seven-figure scores.

• Source of wealth – businessman, Chinese casino junkets
• Estimated net worth – $400 million
• Poker highlights – $19 million in high-stakes tournament winnings

Check out Paul’s take on Poker Mentality and Bad Beats:

5. Elton Tsang Net Worth

A regular in high-stakes cash games in Asia, Tsang lives in Hong Kong where he runs several businesses. He is credited with organising the first major poker tournament in Macau. This series eventually became the Asia-Pacific Poker Tour.

He’s even played in the “Big Game” in Las Vegas with some of the biggest stakes in the world. That game regularly features players like Doyle Brunson, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, and others.

Tsang won the €1 million WSOP Big One for Drop, in 2016, for $12.2 million. He’s believed to be worth more than $50 million.

• Source of wealth – Businessman, poker player
• Estimated net worth – $50 million
• Poker highlights – Winner of €1 million WSOP Big One for Drop in 2016 for $12.2 million

Joey Ingram commentates one of the biggest cash game hands ever featuring Elton Tsang and Jason Koon:

6. Jennifer Tilly Net Worth

While acting may be her first profession, Tilly has become a force on the poker table. Her estimated net worth is around $25 million. She won the WSOP Ladies Championship in 2005 for $158,335 and now has more than $1 million in live tournament winnings. She also appears on televised cash games like Poker Night in America.

She was introduced to the game by her long-time boyfriend Phil Laak, who is believed to be worth $15 million. The poker power couple both play in major tournaments as well.

Beyond poker, Tilly has a long history in Hollywood film and television. She received an Academy Award nomination in 1994 for the film Bullets Over Broadway.

• Source of wealth – Actress
• Estimated net worth – $15 million
• Poker highlights – 2005 WSOP Ladies Championship

7. Chris “Jesus” Ferguson Net Worth

Despite his online poker platform's failure and the ensuing firestorm, Ferguson is believed to have a net worth of $80 million. Ferguson, 56, won the 2000 WSOP Main Event and was one of the big names in poker during the 2000s. This was all before Black Friday exposed his company’s improprieties and led to a self-imposed exile from poker. 

Considered a pariah by many in the industry, he returned to action in 2016 at the WSOP. A year later he won his sixth bracelet. He went on to be named WSOP Player of the Year. 

Many players may still dislike him, but his skills at the tables can’t be denied.

• Source of wealth – former online poker site founder and executive, poker player
• Estimated net worth – $80 million
• Poker highlights – 6 WSOP bracelets, 2017 WSO Player of Year

Check out Chris’ apology for his role in the Black Friday fiasco:

8. Dan Bilzerian Net Worth

The 39-year-old social media icon has claimed massive poker winnings over the years. His globetrotting and partying with scantily-clad women are frequently documented on his Twitter and Instagram feeds. 

In a 2014 Wall Street Journal article, he claimed to have won $50 million playing high-stakes cash games. But some in the poker world have doubted his poker exploits and some of his social media lifestyle. 

He also owns a company called Ignite brands, which invests in the cannabis sector and other sectors. But the venture lost $50 million in 2019 according to Forbes.

It’s believed that Bilzerian has a net worth of $200 million. The Journal reported he received a trust fund from his father, Paul Bilzerian. He amassed a fortune as a corporate raider. 

But the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission collected a $62 million civil judgment against the elder Bilzerian for securities fraud. Paul served time in prison. 

Bilzerian senior fought that judgement and eventually went into exile from the U.S. sheltering much of his assets.

• Source of wealth – Trust fund, businessman
• Estimated net worth – $200 million
• Poker highlights – Believed to play high stakes cash games

Watch Dan’s many exploits both in poker and on social media:

9. Bill Perkins Net Worth

This hedge fund manager and film producer is believed to be worth more than $50 million. He began playing poker in 2012. He’s appeared in many high roller poker tournaments and major cash games, When not at the poker table, he works as a hedge fund manager.

That exploit included a major score in 2019. He took sixth-place in the £1 million buy-in Triton Million. It was the largest buy-in poker tournament ever held. That finish brought him £2.2 million. He now has $5.4 million in live tournament winnings.

Perkins also runs the Team Thirst Lounge. It’s a Twitch channel where players live in the Virgin Islands and grind it out for followers. It’s kind of a poker reality show in an exotic, picturesque location. The channel asks poker fans to – 

“Follow along this wild ride, as 10 unique individuals navigate through the millionaire lifestyle!” 

Perkins knows that lifestyle first-hand!

• Source of wealth – Hedge fund manager
• Estimated net worth – $50 million
• Poker highlights – $5.4 million in live tournament winnings

10. Richard Yong Net Worth

This Malaysian businessman made his fortune in the information technology and data-mining industries. Believed to be a business partner of Paul Phua, he has been playing poker at some of the highest stakes and buy-ins in recent years. 

Yong has several six- and seven-figure scores. He won the Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge earning him $1.5 million. He now has $14.2 million in live tournament winnings and began the Triton Poker Series.

That may be a pittance of his actual net worth, which various sources estimate between $400 million and $1 billion.

• Source of wealth – Businessman in information technology and data-mining
• Estimated net worth – At least $400 million, and maybe as high as $1 billion
• Poker highlights – Won the 2015 Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge for $1.5 million

Richard Yong talks Dwan, Ivey and starting his own poker room:

Poker Millionaire

11. Daniel Negreanu Net Worth

“Kid Poker” remains one of the best and most entertaining players in the game. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, the 45-year-old year began playing as a teenager after discovering a game in a pool hall in his hometown. 

Trips to Vegas and other major tournaments around North America followed. He now has six WSOP bracelets and two WPT titles as well. Negreanu has won on just about every stage and remains one of the most successful players in history. 

Along with his play on the felt, Daniel Negreanu has benefitted from some online poker sponsorships. He now lives in Las Vegas. In total, he has more than $42 million in live tournament winnings and an estimated net worth of about $50 million.

• Source of wealth – poker, online poker sponsorships, other ventures
• Estimated net worth – $50 million
• Poker highlights – 6 WSOP bracelets, 2 WPT titles

For more details, check out Daniel Negreanu Net Worth full article.

12. Doyle Brunson Net Worth

A living legend in poker, the 86-year-old Texan, still plays in some of the world's largest cash games. Born in Longworth, Texas, Brunson grew up on a cotton farm. He excelled in track and on the basketball court during high school and college. 

He began playing poker in college back in Texas. But found he could make more playing cards after completing his master’s degree at Hardin-Simmons University. Brunson was one of the “Texas road gamblers” when poker wasn’t seen as an ethical game. He travelled the southwest U.S. looking for action. 

He went on to win 10 WSOP bracelets and one WPT title. Brunson authored one of the first modern strategy guides. And he licensed his name for an online poker site during the 2000s. 

After a lifetime of success at poker and some keen business acumen, Brunson is believed to be worth $75 million.

• Source of wealth – Poker, business ventures
• Estimated net worth – $75 million
• Poker highlights – 10 WSOP bracelets, plays in cash games at highest stakes

For more details, check out Doyle Brunson Net Worth full article.

Check out how an old dog schools a young cocky businessman:

13. Phil Hellmuth Net Worth

The 15-time WSOP bracelet winner has always been one of the more “outgoing” players in poker. He’s not afraid to market his brand. Along with his $23 million in live tournament winnings, Hellmuth has endorsed – 

• Beer;
• An online poker site;
• The Aria casino and resort in Las Vegas;
• A fast-food hamburger franchise;
• An energy drink;
• A poker phone app, and more.

He’s also a bestselling author of several poker books and his autobiography. Hellmuth has many other business investments. He has parlayed his popularity and “Poker Brat” image into a successful business away from the table. 

His estimated net worth is $75 million.

• Source of wealth – Poker, business ventures and investments
• Estimated net worth – $75 million
• Poker highlights – All-time WSOP bracelet leader with 15

For more details, check out Phil Hellmuth Net Worth full article.

14. Rick Salomon Net Worth

This producer, actor, and poker player has had quite an interesting career. He is the son of a Warner Brothers entertainment executive vice president. Salomon, 51, has seen plenty of big wins on the poker table and has almost $10 million in live tournament winnings. 

That includes finishing third in the €1 million WSOP Big One for Drop in 2016 for $3.3 million. He also finished fourth in 2014 and 2018 in the $1 million Big One for Drop events at the WSOP in Las Vegas. He scored a nice $2.8 million with each finish.

Along with his business interests and poker, Salomon is known for his 2003 sex tape with Paris Hilton. He even distributed the film himself. He has also been married to actresses Pam Anderson and Shannen Doherty. 

His $30 million net worth encompasses his considerable poker winnings. It also includes business and entertainment interests.

• Source of wealth – Poker, business, and entertainment interests
• Estimated net worth – $30 million
• Poker highlights – Millions of dollars in winnings from high stakes events

Rick gets a lot of action in this set vs straight hand in a Poker After Dark cash game:

15. Erik Seidel Net Worth

This player may have the opposite attitude of Hellmuth. He’s quiet, unassuming, and not particularly interested in promotion or publicity. Seidel is one of the most successful players in history,  having a net worth of more than $40 million. 

He’s won some of the game’s biggest events and has eight WSOP bracelets. Erick remains a regular participant on the high roller scene. 

Born and raised in New York City, the 60-year-old was a regular at the famous Mayfair Poker Club in the city. This establishment served as the inspiration for the film Rounders.

• Source of wealth – Poker
• Estimated net worth – $40 million
• Poker highlights – 8 WSOP bracelets and numerous high roller scores

Erik has his cool head on display in this hand vs Matusow from 2008:

16. Justin Bonomo Net Worth

This player originally from Fairfax, Virginia, is one of the winningest players in history. He boasts more than $49 million in live tournament winnings. The 34-year-old had massive years from 2017-19. 

In June 2018, he won the $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship at the WSOP for $185,965. That made his second WSOP bracelet of the summer. It came only days after winning the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl for $5 million. 

He followed his bracelet win up by taking down the WSOP $1 million Big One for One Drop for $10 million. In 2019, Bonomo, 34, won a Triton £100,000 Short Deck Super High Roller for $3.2 million. 

He remains a major force at high roller events and other major tournaments.

• Source of wealth – Poker
• Estimated net worth – $49 million
• Poker highlights – Massive scores in high rollers, won the $1 million Big One for One Drop at the WSOP in 2018 for $10 million

17. Antonio Esfandiari Net Worth

“The Magician” has been one of the most popular and successful players over the last few decades. Many estimate his net worth from $25-30 million. His career includes winning the first $1 million Big One for One Drop in 2012 for $18.3 million.

He also has two other WSOP bracelets as well as two WPT titles. Beyond poker, Antonio Esfandiari has worked as a commentator for ESPN. He has also made several other television appearances. His affable personality has made him a popular player with poker fans.

The 41-year-old poker player earned his nickname after working as a magician. He found poker paid better and has been playing for more than two decades.

• Source of wealth – Poker
• Estimated net worth – $25 million
• Poker highlights – won the $1 million Big One for One Drop in 2012 for $18.3 million

Antonio shows off his magician skills away from the poker table in Vegas:

18. Phil Ivey Net Worth

One of the most recognised names in poker, Ivey began playing poker in Atlantic City as a teenager. Inspired by players who made a living at the game, he was a bit ahead of his time. He took notes on players, hands, and situations to perfect his game. 

The efforts paid off, and he now has more than $30 million in live tournament winnings. He is also a regular in televised poker shows. Ivey has played in some of the biggest cash games in the world in Asia. 

Phil has 10 WSOP bracelets and one WPT title. Many estimate his net worth at around $100 million.

• Source of wealth – Poker, gambling ventures
• Estimated net worth – $100 million
• Poker highlights – 10 WSOP bracelets, 1 WPT title, high stakes cash games

For more details, check out Phil Ivey Net Worth full article.

19. Patrik Antonius Net Worth

This Finnish pro has a long history of poker success on the live felt and online. Patrik Antonius is a regular on major televised cash games and in nosebleed stakes online cash games. Poker legend Marcel Luske mentored the 39-year-old.

He is believed to have a net worth of around $20-25 million. At one time, his poker life included an online poker sponsorship. He has massive finishes in some of the game’s biggest events. That includes three WPT final table appearances and one WPT title. 

Antonious has been a mainstay at major poker events and cash games throughout the poker boom. He is a recognised legend by many in the game.

• Source of wealth – Poker
• Estimated net worth – $20 million
• Poker highlights – High stakes cash games including massive online games

Watch the Fin in action with these TOP 10 Best Moments:

20. Tom Dwan Net Worth

A regular in televised poker and some of the world's biggest cash games, Dwan made his name in the world of online poker. In fact, his online username, “Durrrr,” became synonymous with this player. 

He was one of the online poker savants depicted in the excellent book Ship It Holla Ballas! by Jonathan Grotenstein and Storms Reback. The book chronicles how Dwan and friends spent hours and hours multi-tabling high-stakes events online. This all took place during the poker boom – in between partying.

Dwan, 33, now has $3.4 million in live tournament winnings but has made much more in cash games, both live and online. Dwan remains active in poker. He regularly plays in Southeast Asia, including Macau. Tom is believed to have a net worth of more than $10 million.

• Source of wealth – Poker
• Estimated net worth – $10 million
• Poker highlights – Massive online poker winnings at some of the biggest stakes

Tom is known for big bluffs! Here are some of his best:

21. Chris Moneymaker Net Worth

No other player may have been more critical to the modern popularity of poker than Chris Moneymaker. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Moneymaker’s everyman tale of poker success – all in front of ESPN cameras – helped bring players to the live and online poker tables throughout the 2000s.

His 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event victory was the spark that made poker a worldwide phenomenon. New players jump online or go play on their local casinos trying to follow a dream that Moneymaker proved to be possible.

His source of income comes not only from poker, but also a long-time sponsorship deal with one of the biggest online poker sites in the world that expired back in 2020 (he’s now sponsored by another site). He keeps playing nowadays, but has a bit of his money invested here and there, like in the cannabis business and crypto. He is also thinking about getting into the whiskey business, as he disclosed in an interview with Cigar Snob magazine.

• Source of wealth – Poker, business, and sponsorship deals
• Estimated net worth – $16 million
• Poker highlights – 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion

Watch Chris Moneymaker taking the 888 Ride:

22. Sam Farha Net Worth

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Sam Farha might be a name the new poker kids don’t immediately recognise, but he’s one of the old schoolers that’s still around on the tables. If you’re a fan of the old High Stakes Poker episodes, you might remember his imposing presence, featuring elegant suits and, sometimes, an unlit cigarette in the corner of his mouth.

He’s the player that was on the other side of the table during the final heads-up battle of the aforementioned 2003 WSOP Main Event. He took $1.3 million for the runner-up place that year, but even though he came up short on success that time, he has three WSOP bracelets to his name.

Apart from poker, Farha works as a spokesperson for Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas, wrote a book on Omaha strategy and made several appearances on TV poker shows and the poker movie Lucky You.

• Source of wealth – Poker, books and appearances
• Estimated net worth – $100 million
• Poker highlights – 3 WSOP bracelets, 2003 WSOP Main Event runner-up finish

Watch Sammy's best moments on High Stakes Poker:

23. Bryn Kenney Net Worth

Bryn Kenney is one of the youngest in this list. Part of the newer generation of poker players, the American born 36 year old is a regular on the super high roller circuit for more than a decade now. 

His poker career started when he was only 17 and his mother created an account under her name on an online poker site so she could support her son's dream. It was in 2014 that he won his first and only WSOP bracelet on the $1.500 10-Game Mix Six Handed event for $153.220, but he became notorious in the poker world when he ranked 2nd during the 2019 Triton Super High Roller Series, taking the highest ever payout in live poker history. Even though he finished 2nd, he took home £16.890.509 due to a deal he had made with the eventual champion.

• Source of wealth – Poker
• Estimated net worth – $56 million
• Poker highlights – 1 WSOP bracelet, Biggest every payout in live poker history on the 2019 Triton Million

Get to know Kenney a bit better with this short documentary:

24. Tony G Net Worth

Antanas Guoga, best known as Tony G, is one of the most entertaining personalities in the poker world. His table talk resulted in several memorable quotes such as “On your bike!” after eliminating Ralph Perry or “Of course I lied. It’s poker!” after tricking Phil Hellmuth into going all-in. 

His biggest career cash is fairly recent, after winning the $100k Short Deck Hold’em event on SHRB Europe for $1.196.000. It’s also his only 7 figure score after coming close to that by taking 4th place on the €250k Super High Roller on WSOPE in 2019 for $882.942.

His net worth is set at $36 million and even though a lot of that comes from the tables, he’s also a successful businessman as owner of poker sites such as Pokernews and Pokerworks. Apart from his ventures in the poker business world, he’s also the director and CEO of Cyberphunk Holdings, a company dedicated to the cryptocurrency business. 

• Source of wealth – Poker, poker business, crypto business
• Estimated net worth – $36 million
• Poker highlights – Several scores on high roller tournaments including $1M+ on SHRB Europe

On your bike!

25. Fedor Holz Net Worth

This 26-year-old German made plenty of waves at the online tables as “CrownUpGuy” in the mid-2010s including a massive score of $1.3 million by winning a single tournament. 

On the live felts, he finished 25th in the 2015 WSOP Main Event for $262,574, took home $3.5 million by winning the $200k NLH event in the WPT National 2016 and, in the same year, pocketed another $3.5 million for a runner-up finish in the Super High Roller Bowl. 2016 was looking like a dream to Holz, but the biggest one was still to come. The young poker genius managed to win the $111,111 NLH for One Drop event in the 2016 WSOP for another $5 million USD. In 2018 came his biggest ever cash after winning $6 million on the $1M Big One for One Drop for a 2nd place finish.

After announcing that he was mostly retiring from poker, he launched two companies focused on coaching, meditation and training called Stacking and Primed Mind.

• Source of wealth – Poker, Business
• Estimated net worth – $32.5 million
• Poker highlights – Several scores on high roller tournaments with 10 seven figure scores to his name

888poker interviews Holz on the 2016 WSOP:

Originally Published on January 21, 2021