Top 10 Legendary Old School Poker Players Everyone Should Know

01 May 2025

Beginner

This material is for beginner players

The 2000s were a golden era for poker. Televised tournaments, online qualifiers, and the Moneymaker effect turned the game into a global obsession — and a new generation of poker stars rose to fame. These are the legends who defined that era, and these were the faces you saw on TV, the names etched on WSOP bracelets, and the players who helped shape modern poker as we know it today. In today's topic we’ll provide top 10 famous poker players from the 2000s — for those who maybe forgot or want to reminisce about good times.

The 2000s were a special time in poker history. It was the era when the game went from smoky back rooms to prime-time television, and players became rockstars. Shows like High Stakes Poker and the World Series of Poker on ESPN turned once-underground grinders into household names. With every all-in and every stone-cold bluff, these pros built their legacies and brought millions of fans into the game. Their personalities were larger than life, their instincts razor sharp, and their reads the stuff of legend.

This list is a tribute to the true titans of that golden decade. These are the players who didn’t just win bracelets or cash big — they defined an era. Whether they were intimidating foes with icy stares or charming the cameras with slick table talk, each of them left a lasting mark on the game. So if you're feeling nostalgic for the days of chip tricks, oversized sunglasses, and poker glory, you're in the right place. Let’s count down the legends who ruled the felt in the 2000s.

You can’t talk about 2000s poker without mentioning the man who started the boom. An amateur accountant who qualified online for $39, Chris Moneymaker went on to win the 2003 WSOP Main Event for $2.5 million. His victory proved that anyone could win, and inspired millions to try.

Charismatic, sharp, and always talking, Daniel Negreanu became the face of poker in the 2000s. With multiple WSOP bracelets, WPT titles, and unmatched table presence, "Kid Poker" combined elite reads with media savvy. He wasn't just winning — he was building poker’s global fanbase.

Nobody talks like Phil Hellmuth. Nobody wins quite like him either. Already a legend by 2000, Hellmuth kept stacking bracelets through the decade. His blowups were iconic, but so was his record. Love him or hate him, "The Poker Brat" made sure you never looked away.

Though his prime began long before the 2000s, Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson remained a force into the new millennium. The author of Super/System and a true OG, Doyle played in the highest-stakes games and earned respect from every generation. He was a living link between poker’s wild past and its modern era. Doyle passed away on May 14, 2023, at the age of 89. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of poker.

Widely considered the most naturally gifted player of his generation, Phil Ivey dominated the 2000s with a cold, unreadable style and relentless edge. He crushed high-stakes cash games, won ten WSOP bracelets, and struck fear into opponents across every format. If there was a table to beat, Ivey was already there.

One of the few women to regularly compete in the biggest games in the world, Jennifer Harman earned respect in an era dominated by men. A fixture in Bobby’s Room and a strong tournament player, she broke barriers and inspired the next generation of female pros.

Nobody played like Gus. He was loose, aggressive, and unpredictable — and somehow made it work. Three WPT titles in the early 2000s proved it wasn’t just luck. Gus brought flair and chaos to every table he sat at.

A magician before poker, and still one on the felt. Antonio had the charm and the game to back it up. He won big, including the $18 million One Drop in 2012, but always kept it light. A showman who knew how to win.

Smart, solid, and unshakable. Barry played the highest stakes and donated millions to charity. No gimmicks, no noise — just respect from everyone who played with him. A pro’s pro.

You heard him before you saw him. Mike was loud, emotional, and never afraid to speak his mind. But behind the talk was real skill — and a couple bracelets to prove it. One of the game’s biggest personalities.

Now there you have it: top 10 old school poker players! Whether you're a new-school grinder or an old-school fan, these names still carry weight — and many are still crushing games today. The game may have evolved with solvers and GTO, but the legends of the 2000s set the stage for everything that followed. Their contributions and skills still resonate, and their stories are a testament to what poker was and continues to be.