Poker has long been a beloved card game, with millions enjoying both playing for fun and profit. Yet there are a select few who seem able to turn it into a full-time career by consistently winning over time.
These players possess an in-depth knowledge of the game and its nuances, including its percentages for every hand they play. By using this insight to make informed decisions and increase their odds of success, these professionals are consistently successful.
Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson is an author, two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion, and member of the Poker Hall of Fame. In addition, he is also known for being an outstanding family man who has battled cancer throughout his life.
Brunson was a star athlete during his youth in Longworth, Texas, known for his fierce competitive nature and being scouted by NBA teams for their basketball teams; unfortunately due to a leg injury he had to give it up and retire early from athletics.
After his injury, he began playing poker at local card clubs and quickly amassed enough winnings to cover an entire month’s salary in one night – inspiring him to quit his job and dedicate himself fully to poker playing.
Brunson may have achieved great success at the poker tables, yet has not always felt joy. He has battled cancer twice but always come out stronger. Thanks to his competitive nature and family support system, however, Brunson managed to come through these trials successfully.
Dan Smith
Bastille frontman Dan Smith began writing songs in his bedroom before touring around Britain using a borrowed car. His 2013 debut album Bad Blood went straight to No 1 in the UK charts and has since achieved double platinum status.
He later switched his focus to poker tournaments, becoming one of the world’s premier tournament players over a 10-year span (from 2013-2022), recording 19 tournament wins with 18 major ones such as winning his maiden bracelet at the 2022 WSOP.
Dan also serves as President of Elliot Advantage, which offers consulting services to food service, retail and hospitality businesses. Since the organization’s inception, he has overseen its operation while helping launch, expand and stabilize many national concepts across various segments within the industry.
He brings over 10 years of executive search experience, working closely with founders and entrepreneurs looking to raise growth equity capital and achieve commercial success, PE investors ranging from lower middle market deals up to the biggest club deals ever undertaken, and Fortune 50 executives.
Jennifer Harman
Jennifer Harman has become one of the most accomplished female poker players ever. She won two WSOP bracelets and wrote the Limit Hold’em chapter of Doyle Brunson’s Super System II book; additionally, she amassed over $2 Million dollars from live tournaments and nosebleed cash games over time.
After she underwent her second kidney transplant and recovered, she founded CODA as an organization to spread organ donation awareness. However, this has never caused her to lose her passion for poker.
Poker was introduced into her life at an early age by watching her father play home games in Reno. She would sneak in and watch his wins or losses as they took place, eventually taking up his seat to try her own luck at poker herself.
Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is widely recognized as one of the finest players and advocates in poker. Known for his adept reading ability and captivating stage presence, he makes for an engaging speaker and player alike.
Negreanu, born to Romanian parents in Toronto, Canada, spent much of his early life attending charity casinos and illegal games around the city. By age 21, he had saved enough money to move to Las Vegas – but quickly found it overwhelming.
He has since amassed more than $42 million in live tournament cashes, winning six World Series of Poker bracelets and providing regular commentary for media outlets as a regular contributor. Furthermore, he published Hold’em Wisdom for All Players as his book about poker.
