5. Johnny Chan
If you kept up with poker throughout the 80’s and 90’s then you know that Johnny was the poker player of that era. Known as the “Orient Express”, his talent has been immortalized in the poker community forever. He has been playing poker for over 20 years now and many can say that he brings a lot of aggressiveness to the table.
4. Johnny Moss
For a long time, Johnny Moss was considered the best poker player of his time. Unfortunately, his skills were relevant when “legal” poker hadn’t even made its way into society yet. However, the people who did manage to play with Moss did understand his table presence and skill. The general consensus stands that he was one of the greatest.
3. Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey is the man at the poker table. When he sits down, prepare to play against one of the most accomplished poker players in history. For the past 10 years or so, he has been number one in both tournaments and live table games. He always admits, “There is no amount of money that makes me sweat”, and it’s true. There is nobody that he won’t play and there is no amount of money that he won’t be willing to put up if he thinks he’s better than you.
2. Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson has been playing poker consistently for over 50 years so it would be wrong to place him on a spot any less than number two. He is a true professional and an icon for the game. He dominates in tournaments and he wins consistently in high-stakes cash games. At one point, before Internet poker was shut down, he had his own online poker room that was called “Doyles Room”.
1. Chip Reese
By all standards, Chip Reese is the greatest professional poker player of all time. He has won millions in cash games, millions in tournaments, and has played in almost every part of the world. Aside from his poker skill, Reese was loved and respected by the poker community until the day of his passing. He is an icon for poker and his legacy will live on forever, as with most of the players on this list.