Winning millions of dollars may sound like a pipe dream to most people, but it’s just another day at the office for some professional poker athletes. Similar to the homegrown players that are being supported and nurtured by the country’s very own Masters Poker Club, these players have dedicated countless hours to perfecting their craft and have emerged as some of the highest-earning individuals in the world of poker.
Masters Poker Club introduces eight of the top poker athletes who cashed in on the big time with their exceptional skills and remarkable victories.
- Jonathan Duhamel
Biggest Win: $8,944,310
Jonathan Duhamel, a professional poker player from Canada, took home the World Series Of Poker main event title in 2010. He emerged victorious from a field of 7,319 players, securing an impressive $8,944,310 from the $68,799,059 prize pool. Duhamel’s triumph marked a significant achievement for Canadians and solidified his position among the highest-earning professionals in the game.
- Peter Eastgate
Biggest Win: $9,152,416
Peter Eastgate’s moment of glory came in 2008 when he topped the WSOP main event, earning a staggering $9,152,416. Outlasting a field of 6,844 players, Eastgate became the first Danish player to achieve such a feat and the second European to claim the main event title. His victory propelled him into the ranks of the highest-earning poker players worldwide.
- Ensan, Bonomo, Jacobson
Biggest Win: $10,000,000 each
Three players share the sixth spot on the club’s list, each winning a massive $10,000,000. Hossein Ensan’s victory came in the 2019 WSOP main event, where he showcased his skills and triumphed over a challenging field. Justin Bonomo secured his $10 million win at the prestigious Big One For One Drop tournament in 2018, while Martin Jacobson emerged as the 2014 WSOP main event champion. Their exceptional performances cemented their positions among the highest-earning players in the world of poker.
- Sam Trickett
Biggest Win: $10,112,001
Trickett’s remarkable achievement came in a single event where he won a staggering $10,112,001. Despite finishing second, Trickett’s enormous prize was secured at the Big One For One Drop $1,000,000 buy-in tournament organized by WSOP. With total tournament winnings over $20,000,000, Trickett ranks among the top poker earners globally.
- Jamie Gold
Biggest Win: $12,000,000
Jamie Gold’s momentous victory in 2006 earned him $12,000,000 and made history. Gold’s triumph occurred during a poker boom when interest in tournaments soared, leading to a significant increase in participants. His win among a field of 8,773 players demonstrated the potential for non-pros to become overnight millionaires, capturing the imagination of poker enthusiasts the world over.
- Elton Tsang
Biggest Win: $12,248,912
Elton Tsang secured the third-highest ranking on the club’s list by winning an impressive $12,248,912 at the 2016 Big One For One Drop tournament in Monte Carlo. This remarkable victory propelled Tsang into the ranks of the best Asian players and marked a significant turning point in his poker career.
- Daniel Colman
Biggest Win: $15,306,668
Daniel Colman, known for his online poker prowess under the nickname “mrGR33N13,” transitioned to live tournaments successfully. In 2014, Colman emerged as the champion of Big One For One Drop tournament, claiming an astounding $15,306,668. Colman’s victory solidified his position as one of the highest-earning poker players in history.
- Antonio Esfandiari
Biggest Win: $18,346,673
At the top of our list is Antonio Esfandiari, whose extraordinary win at the 2012 Big One For One Drop tournament broke records. Esfandiari took home a whopping $18,346,673, becoming the highest-earning poker athlete in a single tournament. His triumph solidified his reputation as one of the most successful and respected professional poker players worldwide.
These exceptional individuals have amassed enormous wealth and left an indelible mark on the world of poker. Their achievements serve as inspiration for the country’s aspiring poker players as backed by Masters Poker Club while demonstrating the incredible potential that lies within the realm of professional poker.
