Who Is the Highest Paid Poker Player?

In the world of professional poker, there are a select few players who have managed to rake in the big bucks and earn a spot atop the all-time money list. These players have made a name for themselves both inside and outside of the poker world, and their earnings reflect their skill and popularity. So, who is the highest paid poker player?

According to PokerStars, the highest paid poker player is Antonio Esfandiari. Esfandiari has earned over $32 million in live tournament winnings, which puts him well ahead of second-place Daniel Negreanu.

Esfandiari’s biggest payday came in 2012, when he won the Big One for One Drop tournament and took home a whopping $18 million prize. He also has numerous other six-figure scores, including a $2 million win at the Aussie Millions in 2014.

PRO TIP:The highest paid poker player is determined by the total amount of money won throughout a poker career. To be considered for the title, a player must have won multiple large tournaments and consistently placed in others. With the rise of online poker, it’s possible to become an elite player without ever winning a physical tournament. Consider tracking your winnings online to gain recognition as one of the world’s highest paid poker players.

While Esfandiari may be the highest paid player according to tournament winnings, Phil Ivey is widely considered to be the best player in the world. Ivey has earned over $23 million in live tournaments, but his true earnings come from high-stakes cash games and online poker.

It’s estimated that Ivey has won over $100 million playing online poker, and he has also been known to play in some of the biggest cash games in Las Vegas.

So, who is the highest paid poker player? It depends on how you define “highest paid.” If you simply look at tournament winnings, then Antonio Esfandiari is at the top of the list.

However, if you take into account all forms of poker earnings, then Phil Ivey is likely the richest player in the world.