Poker is a card game that people have enjoyed for centuries. While the specific origins of poker are unclear, it is thought to have originated in Europe sometime in the 16th century. Poker gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century and soon became a staple of American culture. Today, poker is one of the most popular games in the world, both competitively and casually. Poker tournaments are televised and attract millions of viewers, while people of all ages and backgrounds play casual games. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend an evening with friends or you’re aiming to become a professional player, poker is a great game to enjoy.
Poker is a game with a rich history and a famous competitive scene. While you can play the game informally among friends, poker tournaments have been held since the early 19th century. These tournaments have attracted some of the world’s most talented and competitive players, and the prize money on offer has grown significantly over time. Today, the top poker players can earn millions of dollars in prize money, and the game’s biggest tournament, the World Series of Poker, attracts tens of thousands of entrants from all over the globe. The competitive scene is a large part of what makes poker an exciting and popular game. Of course, the competitive scene being this significant also means there are some household names every player should know. This article will introduce you to some of the most influential poker pros throughout history.
Johnny Moss – The Grandfather of Poker
Johnny Moss was a professional poker player, considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was born in Marshall, Texas, in 1907 and began playing professionally in the early 1930s. He has won several major tournaments, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP), three times throughout his career. He was the first WSOP winner and one of two people in history to win the WSOP main event three times. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979 and died in 1995 at 88. Although he is no longer with us, Johnny Moss remains one of the most iconic and influential figures in poker history.
Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly
Doyle Brunson is a professional poker player who has played the game for over 50 years. He is a two-time World Series of Poker champion and is considered one of the most influential players in the game’s history. Brunson’s success began in the 1970s with back-to-back WSOP titles. He has also written several books on poker, including Super System, considered one of the essential texts on the game.
He also has a hand named after him due to the ridiculous nature of his back-to-back WSOP wins. The Doyle Brunson, a ten and two, is what he was dealt in the 1976 WSOP. The flop gave him one pair of tens to his opponent’s two pairs of ace and jack. However, against all odds, the turn and river were both twos, giving Brunson the win with a miraculous backdoor full house. While this win was fantastic, Brunson cemented the hand name by winning the following 1977 WSOP main event in the exact same way, making a full house with the signature ten and two.
Stu Ungar – The Comeback Kid
Stu Ungar was a professional poker player and often considered the greatest Texas Holdem and gin rummy player of all time. He was born in 1953 in New York City and began playing cards at a young age. He quickly developed a reputation as a skilled player, and by the 1970s, he was regularly winning high-stakes games. At one point, he was even banned from casinos because of his incredible photographic memory. In 1980, he won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, becoming the youngest player ever. He would win the WSOP Main Event twice more, in 1981 and 1997. One of two players in history to win the main event three times, the large gap between his 1981 and 1997 wins earned him the title of “The Comeback Kid.” In addition to his three WSOP titles, Ungar thrice won Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker.
Chris Moneymaker – Yes, that is his real name
Chris Moneymaker is a professional poker player who attained celebrity status after winning the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event. Moneymaker’s victory is widely considered to have ignited the “poker boom” of the early 2000s. It showed that anyone could win poker’s most prestigious tournament with skill and dedication. Before his win, Moneymaker was an amateur player who had only ever played online poker. He entered the WSOP Main Event by winning two satellite tournaments, which act as qualifiers for more significant events. The first satellite tournament only had a $39 entry fee, meaning he entered and won the WSOP for $39. After defeating a field of 839 other players, Moneymaker became a household name and an inspiration to amateur poker players worldwide.
Daniel Negreanu – Kid Poker
Daniel Negreanu is a professional poker player who has become a symbol of modern poker. He was born in Canada in 1974 and began playing poker at 16. With six WSOP bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles, Negreanu cemented himself as one of the best players in the modern era of power. He is known for his aggressive style of play, and he has continued to be successful in tournament poker, with over $48 million in live tournament earnings. He is also a popular figure outside of poker, with over 2 million followers on social media. In 2019, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Where to practice poker
Poker is a game that has been around for centuries and has seen its fair share of legendary players. The most historically influential poker pros have made their mark on the game in terms of skill and notoriety. If you want to learn from the best, study these players’ strategies and see how you can apply them to your games. Thereโs a site that offers games of every kind, from cash games to WSOP online tournaments. And if you’re looking to explore more and improve your online poker skills even further, check out GGPoker, the world’s largest poker room.
