The legendary, Doyle Brunson is to poker what Tiger Woods is to Golf. He has ten bracelets at the World Series of Poker and is one behind Phil Hellmuth. His success at the cash games for five decades or more has been legendary. Along with Gus Hansen and James Gardner, Doyle Brunson was inducted in the Poker hall of Fame in 2004.

Born to a farming family in 1933, Texas, Brunson left college to pursue a career in gambling. He was a gifted athlete and was passionate about basketball but a knee injury forced him to look at other alternatives. Nicknamed Texas Dolly, he became the fist player to win World Series of Poker title twice in a row. But what’s most astounding is the fact that both the times he won with exact poker hands, a full house- tens full of deuces. The 10-2 hold’em hand has since been given the name ‘Doyle Brunson’. He is mostly known by his book “Super/System” published in 1978, in which he had discussed all his playing strategies, which he admits, he had to later change after the release of the book. He can still be seen playing high stake poker games in casinos in Las Vegas. He is 75 and still shows no signs of slowing down.

Thomas James Cloutier is a specialist tournament poker player. He is the only player in World Series of Poker history to have won in all three Omaha hold’em events; Pot Limit high, Limit high and limit 8 or better high-low split.  Cloutier has six World Series of Poker bracelets to his credit but he has yet to win a main World series of Poker vent. He has reached in the top 5 , four times.  He was inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame in 2006. Currently, Cloutier is tied with Phil Hellmuth for most World Series of Poker final table finishes record at 39. He is counted among the Poker veterans that include Doyle

Brunson and Mike Sexton.He was born on 13th October, 1939 in Texas, United States. Since his school days, T.J. Cloutier was athletically gifted and was a keen player of football and basket ball. But a knee injury ended his football career and stared his poker career. He has played and won in many number of tournaments, more than any other player. His nickname is T.J. and is much respected among other players. He is a very observant player and has a photographic memory which helps him in remembering how players play their hands in different situations.

He was born in a typical upper middle class family and no one ever thought that he would become a professional gambler.  Nicknamed Owl, his temperament in poker games is legendary. Most of the time, he is calm and congenial. A book named ‘Bobby Baldwin’s Winning Poker Secrets’ which was written by Mike Caro discussed Baldwin’s playing style. Bobby Baldwin himself has written many columns on Poker and his won book ‘Tales out of Tulsa’ was launched in 1985. He still can be seen playing high stake poker games with other poker greats at Bellagio casino in Las Vegas.

Bobby Baldwin is remembered as a fearsome poker player who played infrequently. He won Four World Series of Poker Championships and they all were won in late 1970’s; 1977 to 1979 to be precise. When he won the main event at World Series of Poker in the year 1978, he became the youngest player to do so.

Baldwin was inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame in 2003. He stunned his Poker peers when he took up a job with Golden Nugget Casino in 1982. Rather than playing professional poker, he chose to be on the other side of the table and rose to the position of CEO of Mirage Casino in Las Vegas. As a rule he never plays in that casino as he thinks it looks unprofessional.

Regarded as the greatest cash game poker player of all time, David Edward Reese is considered a legend till today. He was nicknamed Chip and was commonly called Chip Reese. With three World Series of Poker titles, his achievements may seem very modest when compared to other poker greats, but Chip had decided to concentrate his efforts in cash games.  He became the youngest player of poker to be inducted in the Poker Hall of fame in the year 1991. Chip Reese was regarded as best Seven card-Stud player in the world by his colleagues.  He was also known for immense self control at the poker table and was one of the most respected figures in Poker world.

Chip Reese died in the year 2007 at a young age of 56. Born in 1951 in Ohio, United States, Chip Reese was considered as one of the best high limit cash game player in the world. He was a good student and a football player during his school days. Reese decided to play professional poker instead of studying Law at Stanford School after a trip to Las Vegas following his undergraduate degree course. He decided not to leave Las Vegas and he stayed there till his death.

Another poker super star is Johnny Chan who can be seen in big games played at Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas these days. With ten World Series of Poker titles, Johnny Chan is tied at the second place with another Poker great, Doyle Brunson. They both are just behind Phil Hellmuth who has eleven bracelets. Johnny Chan became the fist player to hold ten WSOP bracelets after beating Phil Laak in 2005. Chan was inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame in the year 2002. Of the ten titles, two wins were in back-to-back events in the year 1987 and 1988. He almost won the third time also in 1989 but lost to Phil Hellmuth.  Johnny Chan attributed his initial success to the fact that he was an Asian and many players had not played against an Asian player before him. He is also famous for keeping an orange fruit with him on the table, the reason being that Orange acts as an air freshener to fight off the cigarette smoke in casinos. But now it has almost become his lucky charm and he is always seen with one on his table. His wins have not been limited to only Texas Hold’em events but have come from draw poker and Omaha Hold’em.

Born in China in 1957, Chan’s family moved to United States in 1968. Johnny dropped out of university to become a professional gambler. Nicknamed Orient Express, Johnny Chan has yet to leave his mark in the World Poker Tour. Currently, he stays in Las Vegas and desires of opening his own casino.

There a many excellent online professional poker players. Some stars obviously shine brighter then others. However, there are a great number of very competitive players and any new poker king or queen could be discovered any day. The persons written about in this article are currently on the top of their games and have proven to be consistent players that are well known in the industry. This was not of listing of necessarily the best players, it is just a high light of some of the top ones.

Mike Matusow, Eric Seidel, John Juanda, Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Gordon and Jennifer Harman, Chris Furguson, Erick Lindgren, Phil Ivey are great players and should continue to be for a long time. They are also members of two of the best poker teams in the world, Ultimate Bet and Full Tilt Poker. Both of the websites are excellent and warrant you giving them a try.

Mike Matusow is not shy at the poker table. He is not afraid to tell you exactly how he feels. He has a sort of “in your face” style. His nickname is fittingly, “The Mouth.” Mautusow is an excellent poker player and is a member of the Full Tilt Poker player.

Eric Seidel started playing poker in 1987. He was once a broker on Wall Street. Today, he is one of the most well known poker players online. He started out as a Backgammon player and transitioned to poker. Howard Lederer also played alongside him in a Backgammon.

John Juanda was once a Bible salesman and even dreamed of becoming a doctor. Instead, he became a world class poker player. He is another one of the large group of professional poker players that help found and currently are in partnership with the Full Tilt Poker group.

Howard Lederer’s poker nickname is “The Professor.” He is not only an exceptional poker player but is also a top chess player. His sister is also in the business. Her name is Annie Duke. She has beat him a few times in some notable tournaments.

Mike Matusow, Eric Seidel, John Juanda and Howard Lederer are three more members of the large and impressive Full Tilt Poker team. Full Tilt is a newer poker website but has become very popular very fast. This is a first rate poker room that is continuing to develop a great reputation and a loyal players base. These four players have proven themselves to be individuals to be reckoned with in the industry. Keep an eye on them. They are likely to continue to do big things.

Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth and Anthonio Esfandiari are a part of the Ultimate Bet Team. They are all outstanding poker players in their own right and have different strengths and game strategies.

Annie Duke has a sibling in the poker business. Howard Lederer is her brother. They have gone head to head with Annie coming out on top a number of times. She once knocked him out of the World Series of Poker tournament as well as other notable ones.

Phil Hellmuth is highly respected as a player in the poker industry. He plays mostly, if not exclusively, at the Ultimate Bet website. His poker career got off to an early and successful start. He took home the big prize, the World Series of Poker tournament bracelet when he was in his early 20’s. He has been a big time and well known player since that huge win.

Antonio Esfandiari is another member of the Ultimate Bet team. His nickname is the “Magician.” He can do many impressive hand tricks with the cards and chips. One of his most notable tricks is to flare up to 8 chips in each hand. Esfandiari has a ton of style and can handle the cards and chips very well even while playing.

Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari are a part of the Ultimate Bet Team. All are very accomplished players. Hellmuth won a World Series of Poker bracelet at the age of 24 and has done very well for himself since then. Annie Duke is another very good player who is extremely competitive. Antonio Esfandiari is an excellent player, who is known as the “Magician” because of his card and chip tricks.

Phil Gordon, Jennifer Harman are all world famous poker stars. They are also three of the many professional poker players that are a part of the Full Tilt Poker team.

Phil Gordon first became really popular on the poker scene when he took home the 4th place prize in the WSOP tournament, 7 years ago in 2001. He earned a cool, $400,000, a sum that is definitely nothing to sneeze at. Since then, he has been continuing to play in tournaments and spends a good deal of time over at the Full Tilt Poker website. You can find him over there playing at various times throughout the week. When the professionals are taking part in games, their names will appear in red so that you know that they are at your table. If you are feeling good or believe yourself to be particularly skilled, take them on if you can afford to. You may be able to learn a thing or two.

Jennifer Harman is one of the few women on the professional level in the sport. Although, a lot of women play poker, she is one of the small number who have turned pro. She is well known for playing in high stakes games. Her expertise is always in demand. She provides tips for Texas Hold ‘Em players over at Doyle Brunson’s website. She also is a member at Full Tilt Poker and plays there weekly. Keep an eye out for Jennifer, she loves to play for the big bucks and is a gutsy and very skilled player.