Best Online Poker Players of All Time: Legends, Grinders & Rising Stars

Online poker created its own class of superstar. Before the first internet hand was dealt, poker fame belonged to tournament players and televised cash game regulars. The rise of Full Tilt, PokerStars, and real-money online platforms changed that permanently.

This page profiles the best online poker players ever, from the nosebleed cash game legends of the boom era through to the solver-trained specialists dominating today. Every player here either built their reputation online first or maintains a significant presence on the virtual felt alongside their live results.

These are the names that defined online poker before Black Friday, before solvers, and before the modern high-roller circuit existed. They built their bankrolls and reputations at virtual tables when the biggest games in history were running on Full Tilt and PokerStars.

Tom Dwan (durrrr)

The player who turned a $50 deposit into one of the most feared bankrolls in poker history. Playing as “durrrr” on Full Tilt, Dwan became the face of the online nosebleed era, battling Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, and Viktor Blom at $500/$1,000 blinds and higher.

His $6,970,776 in live tournament earnings across 56 cashes barely scratches the surface. The real action happened in private cash games where results stay off the books.

Dwan’s aggressive, unpredictable style made him a staple of High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, where he famously bluffed Ivey out of a monster pot. The Durrrr Challenge, launched in 2009, remains one of poker’s most talked about grudge matches.

He currently resides in Macau and signed as an ACR Poker ambassador in 2024.

▶ Read Tom Dwan’s Full Profile

Viktor Blom (Isildur1)

No player has ever arrived in online poker with more force than Viktor Blom. In September 2009, an unknown screen name appeared on Full Tilt’s $500/$1,000 tables and within two months had won $6 million, playing up to nine tables at once against poker’s elite.

He then lost most of it in a single devastating session against Brian Hastings. The swings were unlike anything the poker world had seen.

Blom’s identity was confirmed in January 2011 when he signed with PokerStars. His $7,610,341 in live tournament earnings across 72 cashes includes a $1,254,400 PCA Super High Roller win in 2012. Online, the numbers are far bigger: he won $3.5 million on PokerStars’ cash tables in 2015 alone.

Now a Phenom Poker ambassador, the 35-year-old Swede has been competing more frequently in live events since 2023, including regular WSOP appearances.

Patrik Antonius

Finnish former tennis prodigy turned poker legend. Antonius was one of the biggest winners in online poker history, profiting over $12 million on Full Tilt under the screen names “FinddaGrind” and “Luigi66369.”

He was involved in the largest online pot ever played: a $1,356,946 PLO hand against Isildur1 in November 2009.

His $31,910,694 in live tournament earnings across 146 cashes place him 32nd on poker’s all-time money list. He won the biggest pot in US poker livestream history in 2023: $1,978,000 against Eric Persson.

Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2024, Antonius continues to play the highest stakes in the world at 44. His full induction story and legacy are covered on our Poker Hall of Fame profiles and selection history.

Phil Galfond (OMGClayAiken)

Galfond chose his Full Tilt screen name specifically to embarrass opponents who lost to him. It worked. He amassed over $8 million in tracked online profits playing primarily PLO at $200/$400 and above.

He holds 3 WSOP bracelets (2008, 2015, 2018) and has $3,126,763 in live tournament earnings across 41 cashes.

Beyond playing, Galfond founded Run It Once Training and the Run It Once Poker room. His “Galfond Challenge” series of heads-up PLO matches drew global attention, including an epic comeback from €900,000 down against VeniVidi1993 to win by just €1,472. His coaching and content work earned him a spot among our profiled top poker streamers and educators.

Gus Hansen (The Great Dane)

Danish poker icon who dominated the live tournament scene in the early 2000s with the most unreadable style in the game. Hansen won multiple WPT titles, the 2007 Aussie Millions Main Event, and a WSOP Europe bracelet in 2010, accumulating $10,503,752 in live tournament earnings across 75 cashes.

He also won the original Poker Superstars Invitational against a field of legends including Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, and Johnny Chan.

Online was a different story. Hansen famously lost over $20 million on Full Tilt’s nosebleed tables, battling the same players who feared him live. He openly addressed those losses in a 2026 Run It Once Q&A, calling himself “an idiot” for sitting in unwinnable games.

Now a Team Winamax ambassador, Hansen remains a fan favourite who recently returned to the live tournament scene.

Annette Obrestad (Annette_15)

Norwegian prodigy who famously won an online tournament without looking at her hole cards, using position and reads alone. At 18, she became the youngest ever WSOP Europe Main Event champion in 2007, taking home £1 million. Her $3,942,664 in live tournament earnings across 73 cashes were built almost entirely before she turned 25.

Obrestad started playing online at 15 using freeroll-funded bankrolls and was a dominant force in the mid-stakes online MTT scene before transitioning to live play. Her early career overlapped with poker’s pre-Black Friday golden era.

She remains one of the most iconic examples of online poker producing young, world-class talent. Her WSOPE victory and career are also featured among the women who shaped competitive poker.

Brian Hastings

Best known for the session that shook the online poker world. On 8 December 2009, Hastings won over $4 million from Isildur1 in a five-hour $500/$1,000 PLO heads-up match on Full Tilt.

The session was followed by controversy when it emerged that Hastings had obtained hand histories from Cole South and Brian Townsend, though Full Tilt only penalised Townsend.

Beyond that infamous session, Hastings is a 2 time WSOP bracelet winner and a respected high-stakes online regular who played some of the biggest PLO games in internet history. He has been a quieter presence in recent years but remains one of the defining names of the nosebleed era.

The modern online cash game scene is dominated by players known primarily by screen names, grinding at stakes most professionals never reach. Many of these players have crossed into the live high-roller circuit, but their reputations were forged in online heads-up and 6-max games where technical precision and volume matter more than table image.

Daniel Cates (Jungleman)

One of the greatest heads-up No Limit Hold’em specialists ever. Cates rose through the online ranks as “jungleman12,” famously working at McDonald’s to rebuild his bankroll after early losses. He remains up over $1.2 million in the unfinished Durrrr Challenge against Tom Dwan and has won over $11 million playing online cash games.

His live results have exploded in recent years: $18,940,241 in tournament earnings across 43 cashes, including back-to-back WSOP Poker Players Championship titles in 2021 and 2022. He became the first player in history to win that event consecutively.

He collected both bracelets dressed as Akuma from Street Fighter. Over half of his live earnings come from Triton Poker events.

▶ Read Jungleman’s Full Profile

Eelis Parssinen

Finnish nosebleed specialist who has been a regular in the biggest online cash games for years. Parssinen made the transition to live high rollers with devastating effect, accumulating $15,251,167 in live tournament earnings across 110 cashes. His biggest scores have come in Triton and super high roller events, where his online-honed technical precision translates directly.

Still only in his late twenties, Parssinen represents the new generation of Finnish poker talent following in the footsteps of Patrik Antonius. He is among the most feared players at any nosebleed table, live or online.

Ossi Ketola

Another Finnish online cash game specialist who has quietly built one of the most impressive records in nosebleed poker. Ketola has been a fixture at the highest stakes on PokerStars and other platforms, competing regularly against the best in the world in heads-up and short-handed games.

His live tournament record continues to grow as he ventures more frequently into the high-roller circuit. Ketola is part of a generation of Finnish players who learned from the Antonius era and refined their games with solver-based study tools.

Linus Loeliger (LLinusLLove)

Swiss online cash game phenom widely regarded as one of the best heads-up players in the world. Playing as “LLinusLLove” on PokerStars, Loeliger was the player everyone else at the nosebleeds wanted to avoid.

He has been one of the biggest winners in tracked online high-stakes cash games and became a key figure in the Limitless vs. LLinusLLove rivalry that captivated the online poker community.

Loeliger has kept a low public profile compared to many of his peers, letting his results do the talking. His technical game is considered among the closest to theoretical perfection in online poker.

Benjamin Tollerene

American online specialist who was one of the most feared players in nosebleed online cash games during the mid-2010s. Playing under the screen name “Bttech86” and others, Tollerene was a consistent winner at the highest stakes on PokerStars and was known for his analytical, GTO-influenced style.

He has also recorded significant live results in high-roller events, though his primary focus has remained online. Tollerene is widely respected within the professional community as one of the strongest technical players in the game.

Aleksejs Ponakovs

Latvian online legend known by his screen name “APonakov.” A dominant force in high-stakes online cash games, Ponakovs has also translated his skills to the live felt with several notable high-roller finishes. His style is defined by relentless aggression and deep theoretical knowledge.

Ponakovs emerged during the same era as Isildur1 and Jungleman, competing at the very top of online poker’s food chain. He remains active in both online and live poker.

Scott Seiver

American high-stakes pro with 2 WSOP bracelets and a reputation as one of the toughest opponents in both online and live poker. Seiver was a feared presence in the nosebleed online cash games during the Full Tilt era and has continued to compete at the highest levels.

His live results span over a decade of deep runs in super high roller events. Seiver is known for his competitive fire and willingness to take on anyone at any stakes, whether online or at the Bellagio.

Connor Drinan

American online MTT and cash game player who gained global attention for one of the most dramatic hands in WSOP history. His pocket aces lost to Cary Katz’s pocket aces in a one-outer finish during the 2014 Big One for One Drop.

Beyond that moment, Drinan has been a consistent winner at the highest online stakes and in live high-roller events.

He holds a WSOP bracelet and has been a steady presence in the super high roller scene. Drinan’s approach combines deep online study with strong live instincts.

Andrew Lichtenberger

American pro known as “LuckyChewy” online. Lichtenberger is a WSOP bracelet winner (2014) and WPT champion who built his skills in the online arena before becoming a respected live tournament player. He has been vocal about poker’s intersection with mindfulness and personal development.

His live results include deep runs in major series across the US and internationally. Lichtenberger brings a thoughtful, balanced approach to both his poker game and his public presence.

Sam Soverel

American high-roller specialist who dominated the PokerGO Tour and Poker Masters leaderboards in 2019 and beyond. Soverel’s rise was built on online grinding before transitioning to the live circuit, where he quickly established himself as one of the best mid-to-high-roller players in the world.

He holds multiple Poker Masters and US Poker Open titles and is known for his relentless work ethic and volume. Soverel’s consistency across a wide range of buy-in levels makes him one of the most productive tournament players in modern poker.

Online multi-table tournaments are a different beast entirely from cash games. These players have dominated festival leaderboards, won dozens of six-figure online scores, and proven they can beat fields of thousands from behind a screen. Several have now made the crossover to live play with equally impressive results.

Niklas Astedt (Lena900)

Widely regarded as the greatest online tournament player of all time. The Swedish grinder has amassed over $48 million in documented online cashes, won the SCOOP nine times, the WCOOP seven times, and held the world No. 1 online ranking for a record 97 consecutive weeks.

His $8,800,744 in live tournament earnings across 126 cashes includes a 3rd place finish in the 2024 WSOP Main Event for $4 million and a €625,600 EPT Paris Super High Roller win in February 2026.

Astedt started with freerolls after being inspired by Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP win. He evolved into the “end boss” of online poker, feared by every professional who registers for a Sunday major. His transition to the live scene has been emphatic.

Artur Martirosian

Russian online tournament specialist who has been one of the most consistent performers across all major online festival leaderboards in recent years. Martirosian has compiled millions in online winnings and has increasingly competed in live high-roller events, bringing the same calculated aggression that made him dominant online.

His technical approach and high volume make him a constant threat in any online event he enters. Martirosian is part of a wave of CIS-region players who have reshaped the competitive online landscape.

Yuri Dzivielevski

Brazilian online poker phenomenon who has shattered records on the virtual felt. Dzivielevski has won multiple SCOOP and WCOOP titles and holds one of the most impressive online CVs of any player in history. He also holds a WSOP bracelet and has been steadily building his live results.

His emergence as a force in both online and live poker has made him one of Brazil’s most celebrated players, joining a tradition of strong South American online talent.

Lex Veldhuis

Dutch poker pro and the biggest poker streamer on Twitch, with over 175,000 followers. Veldhuis is a PokerStars Team Pro who has been streaming online tournament sessions to massive audiences since the mid-2010s, making him one of poker’s most visible online players. He holds the record for most concurrent Twitch poker viewers.

Beyond streaming, Veldhuis has compiled significant online tournament results and has been a consistent presence in live events across Europe and Las Vegas.

Parker Talbot (tonkaaaa)

Canadian poker streamer and tournament grinder known as “tonkaaaaP” online. Talbot is a founding member of the “Team NeverLucky” community and has built a loyal following through his energetic streaming style on Twitch. He combines genuine competitive results with entertainment value, a combination that has made him one of online poker’s most recognisable personalities.

His tournament results span major online festivals and he has increasingly appeared in live events.

Patrick Leonard

British online tournament specialist with an extensive record across all major festival series. Leonard has won multiple SCOOP and WCOOP titles, held top spots on online leaderboards, and earned millions from virtual tournaments. He is also known for his outspoken views on industry issues, particularly player advocacy and rakeback.

His live results have grown steadily alongside his online success, with deep runs in EPT and WSOP events. Leonard is one of the UK’s most accomplished online players.

Charlie Carrel

British poker player who rose to fame as one of the youngest high-roller regulars in the game. Carrel built his initial bankroll online and has since competed at the highest levels of both online and live poker. He is also a content creator who shares poker strategy and life philosophy through YouTube and social media.

His content reaches beyond poker strategy into mindfulness and personal growth, giving him one of the more distinctive public profiles among online-era players.

Benjamin Rolle (bencb789)

German poker player, coach, and founder of Raise Your Edge, one of the most successful poker training platforms in the game. Rolle, known online as “bencb789,” is a respected MTT specialist with several major online titles and six-figure scores.

His biggest live result is a $1.7 million cash from the 2017 WSOP One Drop High Roller.

Rolle has arguably had as much impact through coaching as through playing. His training platform has helped develop hundreds of successful tournament players worldwide.

Ole Schemion

German poker pro who was named GPI Player of the Year in 2015. Schemion built his reputation in online MTTs before transitioning to the live circuit, where he quickly dominated the European high-roller scene. His technical approach and consistency earned him the nickname “ChipLeader” in online circles.

His live results include EPT titles and deep runs in WSOP and Triton events. Schemion is one of Germany’s most accomplished all-round players, equally dangerous online and live.

Byron Kaverman

American tournament pro who won the Global Poker Index Player of the Year award in 2016. Kaverman’s game was forged online before he became a fixture in the live high-roller scene. He is known for consistent deep runs rather than headline-grabbing single scores.

His career earnings place him among the top American tournament players, with results spanning WSOP, WPT, and international high-roller events. Kaverman’s methodical approach has earned him respect across the professional community.

These players built their skills online and then conquered the live high-roller circuit. They represent the modern era of poker, where the best players dominate across both formats. Many of them now rank among the highest-earning poker players of all time.

Jason Koon

Originally a mid-stakes online cash game and tournament player, Koon’s career arc is one of the most remarkable in poker. He now sits 3rd on poker’s all-time money list with $71,380,655 in live tournament earnings across 258 cashes. Half of that total comes from Triton Poker events, where he holds a record 12 titles.

Koon started playing online as a teenager and spent years grinding cash games before transitioning to the live super high roller circuit. His work ethic, solver study routines, and ability to perform under extreme pressure have made him one of the most feared players at any buy-in level.

▶ Read Jason Koon’s Full Profile

Justin Bonomo (ZeeJustin)

Bonomo started playing online poker at 16 and was infamously banned from multiple sites for multi-accounting in the early days. He rebuilt his reputation through legitimate play and became one of the biggest winners in poker history.

His $65,611,094 in live tournament earnings across 246 cashes include 3 WSOP bracelets and the 2018 Big One for One Drop ($10 million).

The “ZeeJustin” era of his career was purely online. His transformation into one of the most successful live players ever is a testament to his adaptability and relentless study. Bonomo has recently stepped back from heavy tournament schedules.

▶ Read Justin Bonomo’s Full Profile

Isaac Haxton

Haxton’s poker career started at 17 when his mother created an online account for him. His first cashout was $40,000. Since then, he has grown into one of the most respected all-round players in the world with $62,835,096 in live tournament earnings across 259 cashes and a WSOP bracelet (2023 $25K NLH High Roller).

His online roots run deep: Haxton was a dominant force in high-stakes online games for years before the live circuit became his primary focus. He is known for quiet precision, deep analytical thinking, and a refusal to engage in the ego battles that define some corners of the poker world.

▶ Read Isaac Haxton’s Full Profile

Fedor Holz

German poker wunderkind who burst onto the scene in 2016 by winning over $10 million in a single year, all before turning 24. Holz retired from active play in 2017 but has made periodic returns.

He most recently ended his role as a GGPoker ambassador in early 2026. He also founded the PokerCode training platform and the mental performance app Primed Mind.

His career earnings place him among the top 10 in poker history, built almost entirely from super high roller events. Holz learned his craft online before the live results exploded.

Michael Addamo

Australian poker player widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted players in the modern game. Addamo is a regular in the biggest online cash games (including the legendary $1,000/$2,000 games on GGPoker) and has translated that dominance to live play with 2 WSOP bracelets and a Super High Roller Bowl title.

He was named bencb789’s No. 1 online tournament player and continues to compete at the very top across both formats. Addamo’s all-round ability across NLH, PLO, and mixed games makes him a threat in any field.

Mikita Badziakouski

Belarusian high-stakes specialist who built his reputation crushing online cash games before dominating the Triton Poker circuit. Badziakouski has been a regular in the biggest cash games in the world and has compiled massive live tournament earnings, including a $5.2 million Triton Main Event score.

His transition from online grinder to live super high roller mainstay mirrors the path taken by many of the best players on this page. Badziakouski is quiet, focused, and consistently feared by his peers.

David Peters

American tournament pro with one of the most consistent records in modern poker. Peters built his early bankroll online and has since compiled massive live results across WSOP, WPT, and high-roller events. He holds multiple WSOP bracelets and has been a GPI top-10 player for several years running.

Peters is known for steady, high-volume production rather than single massive scores. His career earnings place him firmly among the elite all-time tournament players.

Nick Petrangelo

American super high roller specialist who cut his teeth in online poker before becoming one of the most feared players in the live high-roller scene. Petrangelo has compiled tens of millions in live earnings and holds a WSOP bracelet. His aggressive style and deep GTO knowledge make him a constant threat.

He has been particularly dominant in PokerGO Tour and Super High Roller Bowl events, where the buy-ins match the online nosebleed stakes he grew up playing.

Koray Aldemir

German-Turkish player who won the 2021 WSOP Main Event for $8 million, poker’s most iconic title. Aldemir’s poker education began online, and he was a respected high-roller player before the Main Event victory elevated him to mainstream recognition.

His live results extend well beyond that single score, with consistent performances in super high roller events globally. Aldemir also appears on our upcoming WSOP Main Event Champions page.

Daniel Dvoress

Canadian high-stakes player who has been a dominant force in both online and live poker. Dvoress built his reputation in online cash games and MTTs before becoming a fixture on the live super high roller circuit. His live results include Triton titles and deep runs across every major series.

He is known for a cerebral, calculated style that reflects his deep online training background. Dvoress is one of Canada’s most accomplished modern poker players.

Jason Mercier

American poker legend with 5 WSOP bracelets and an EPT title who helped define the modern era of multi-format excellence. Mercier was a prolific online player in the pre-Black Friday era and translated those skills into one of the most decorated live careers in the game.

His bracelet wins span multiple formats including NLH, PLO, Razz, and Stud, showcasing a versatility that few players can match. Mercier stepped back from full-time play after starting a family but remains one of the most respected names in poker history.