Who is the best professional poker player today?

[istbno]

Adrián Mateos the Spanish pro led global live tournament earnings in 2024 with over $13.1 million, securing victories in prestigious events like the Triton Poker Series and the Super High Roller Bowl Series

 

[skaterick]

phil ivey has won 11 wsop bracelets , all in non holdem events , (including plo, stud8 , 7 stud , no limit 2-7lowball , limit 2-7 lowball triple draw. he has 5 others in mixed game events (shoe,omaha8/stud8, horse,mixed ,and eight game mixed ). you can argue he is the best aside from no limit holdem .

 

[ramdon p358]

For me the best player at the moment would be Adrian Mateos and for online poker it would be Benjamin Rolle

 

[yuriko oyama]

I'm afraid I'm being controversial, but with so many variables in poker, considering a player, a great player, is quite complex.
You don't always get the right reading, you don't always choose the best plays, and if you base your answer on the result, then the answer becomes much more empty. Because in my opinion, there are good players at all levels of money, and the reason they're not playing with supposed great players is simply because they don't have the money to play at a certain level.
Can I make a questionable play in a one-dollar tournament? I can.
Can I make a questionable play in a 50,000 tournament?
I can't. But others can, does that make them great players?
I don't know, but for many, these values are what define whether someone is a great player or not.

 

[10gerka]

For me, the best professional live poker player in tournaments is Adrian Mateos. The Spaniard has been playing at the highest level for over 10 years, and has earned huge prizes and winnings. His very unique style of play has made him one of the best in the world.

 

[ScooperNova]

Probably some high roller, cash game player we may have never heard of. I think Alex Foxen is probably the best tournament player. The absolute best players are mixing it up in high stakes cash games though.

 

[Poker Orifice]

Because in my opinion, there are good players at all levels of money, and the reason they're not playing with supposed great players is simply because they don't have the money to play at a certain level.

I disagree. It's definitely not about just having the money to be able to play a higher price buy-in.
I know a couple players who are very profitable regs. and who have been making a decent living for 15-20 years playing Tournament poker... mostly while playing Mid-stakes (ie. $55-$109) But they both will play $33 to $1,000 tournaments.
Their average buy-in stays at around $80-$90 Both have played well over 100,000 tournaments.

So why don't they move their average buyin up to $525... or the $1k's? Their bankrolls are big enough. They don't move up to a higher average buy-in because they do much better at the $55 & $109's than they do at the $215+. Why is that? Because the skill level is lower at lower buy-in tournaments (the 'regs' who are playing the $525 & $1k's are much better than the 'regs.' who are playing the $55's).

What is needed to play at an $11 mtt is a much different skill set than to play at the $109's. The more our game evolves, the more we understand just how 'not good' we actually are (& have been).

 

[Poker Orifice]

Some of the very best NLHE Tournament players are currently battling it out in the SCOOP MainEvents at this very moment (heading into Day 3 tomorrow). There are a lot of great players still in.
ie. in the $1k we have
'Lena900' (Niklas Astedt) with over 21million in cashes just on Stars. A former ranked #1 online tournament player on the P5 leaderboard. Also, with limited live experience he managed to take 3rd in last year's WSOP MainEvent for $4 Mill
Bounatirou (Dominik Nitsche) long time tournament crusher, both live & online.
Graftekkel aka Jans Arends (over $3 Million 'profit' in online tournaments. Newer to Live tournaments but managed to win the 2023 WSOP $100k HiRoller event $2,576,729 and just 3 days earlier he took 3rd in the WSOP $50k HiRoller event for $694k
(scrolling down through the Top 200 finishers in that event one can find just dozens upon dozens of amazing players... maybe some could be considered 'the best' (ie. Talal Shakerchi a.k.a. raidalot (main even titles in SCOOP, WCOOP, along with mixed games titles > Triton title, 2x EPT titles) or Samuel Vousden (over $4.5 Million 'profit' in online Tournament play!)

In the SCOOP $5k MainEvent many amazing tournament players in there as well.

 

[s0ftdumps]

Daniel Negreanu has been at the top for over two decades with many bracelets. His ability to read opponents and how he has managed to evolve with the game. He went from an old-school exploitative style to learning and applying modern solver-based strategies.

 

[andron205]

Adrian Mateos.

 

[scobido]

As a player who has inspired me since I started playing poker, I choose Daniel Negreanu as the most interesting and experienced player even today.

 

[hobojim1247]

What criteria are we to use ? This years GOAT? Or the top money winner for the past 5 years? 10 years? Also are we talking about results only or do we include those who teach along with play?
With no guidance I will go with Kid Poker, although no longer a kid. Not only for current relevance but also for longevity at the elite levels. A proven winner and success. With the bonus that he is likeable , approachable and friendly. A stark contrast to another player with many bracelets whose huge ego is matched only by how big an asshole to other players he can be.

 

[theoxy]

I think there is no best poker player at this moment , all professional poker players is best and at the same level . Some one have better luck , some one without luck .

 

[hajaehyun]

Looking at the play, I think Mateos is a really good player

 

[Station_Master]

The best players in the world are those who open ait the highwst stake cash games online, willing to play anyone.

Linus and Prodigy are currrently battling heads up at the highest stakes, whoever wins could claim to be the best imo

 

[heguli82]

World is full of players who can play "correct" or "profitable" those spots with most potential to make money.

 

[Dougana]

For me is Phil Ivey, he's te goat, but today I like a lot an argentina Poker player named Nacho Barbero.

 

[gravii2011]

For me, the best professional poker player at the moment is - @john_entony ))))

 

[bem te vi]

Niklas Astedt

 

[Aleksandr1991]

Eric Seidel

 

[gloria_marga]

I think it's impossible to choose just one. Most high-level players can compete against each other, and the luckiest usually wins. That's why I don't think you can choose just one person as the best.

 

[john_entony]

For me, the best professional poker player at the moment is - @john_entony ))))

Thanks Artem! Marc marked your post with the right reaction, and I agree with him. I am really very pleased that you think that way. I think you just like my style of poker playing, most likely. But I'll strive to justify your words someday. Thanks again!

 

[antttte]

Turnaments - i would say " All the tritons guys"
Cash game - woud be tollerene Still

 

[gravii2011]

Thanks Artem! Marc marked your post with the right reaction, and I agree with him. I am really very pleased that you think that way. I think you just like my style of poker playing, most likely. But I'll strive to justify your words someday. Thanks again!

I like your game in general. You have both skill and luck. You have a feel for the game. You know where to play aggressively and where to play tightly. I think your game is professional. I'm sure if there was an opportunity to play at high limits, we would watch you on YouTube at the final tables of various poker tournaments.🏆🏆🏆🏆

 

[Marshmalo1994]

I recently asked a question about where some of the once-famous poker players disappeared to. Now I’m wondering who you consider the best professional poker player today.

Who is the best, what is their main game they play, and why do you think they are among the best players today?

I'm not sure if is the best, but I've heard many pro players complimenting Adrian Mateos game.