5 Of The Deadliest High-Stakes Poker Players In The World

High-stakes poker is only for a select few. The name already says it all — players must be willing to invest heavily to participate in the game.

For most, taking part in a high-stakes game online or on land is just a pipe dream, as one just doesn’t get to sit at the table with the greats like Ivey, Negreanu, Dawn, and Antonius.

You need a lot of skill, talent, and years of grinding at lower-level tournaments before you can even consider playing.

However, the elite few who make it are ranked among the best players ever. In this piece, we wanted to put a few of them under the spotlight since they are some of the deadliest high-stakes players in the world.

Their games are a delight to watch due to the stimulating and action-packed atmosphere. However, before we focus on the players, we should take a closer look at what high-stakes poker is, how it works, and how one gets to that level.

High-Stakes Poker Games Explained

Many people are familiar with high-stakes poker thanks to the TV show of the same name, which has been on air since 2006. GSN broadcasted it for years, but in 2020, the online platform PokerGO took on that role.

If you’ve ever watched an episode of High Stakes Poker, you know that games are filmed at large casinos and bring together pro players who invest tens of thousands of dollars in each showdown. Some tournaments even feature buy-ins of $1 million or more.

Naturally, the term goes beyond the famous TV program, and almost any poker game with stakes of $20,000 or more is considered high stakes. There is no set rule, but this is typically the minimum amount, while most games with the biggest pros feature buy-ins from $200,000 up to $300,000.

The poker variants used in high-stakes poker vary, but it’s generally Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Razz.

High-stakes poker is played live and online, with significant differences between the two. Most online games include much more affordable buy-ins. This makes them available to a broader audience, but it takes away the excitement. It’s mainly because live poker has the human factor, requiring players to read others, making it more of an art than a regular game.

Naturally, this doesn’t mean regular players should avoid online high-stakes poker, as they are an excellent chance to get more experience. Aside from that, even the greats play them. In time, you might even accumulate the necessary bankroll to participate in a live high-stakes poker game.

Everything Players Need to Get to the High-Stakes Level

Becoming a high-stakes poker player is not easy, so let’s take a look at what it takes to be one:

• Massive bankroll — It’s crucial to have enough money, of course. Average high-stakes players keep at least $500,000 in their bankroll, and they usually reach those amounts after years of playing in smaller tournaments, constantly upping their game and stakes.
• Unshakeable discipline and confidence — No one can become a poker pro overnight, and you can’t get to the top level without discipline. You need to study, practice, play, and remain confident in your abilities, especially while at the table.
• Different way of thinking — This is hard to define, but all pro players know that they have to learn how to anticipate their next moves intuitively and how other players react to specific actions. This level of thinking comes after years of experience and with advice and assistance from other pros.
• Motivation for improvement — You may enjoy playing for years, but you still need to want to improve. Poker is not a game that tolerates stagnation, so you must keep trying out new strategies, playing new poker variations, and more.

List of the Deadliest High-Stakes Poker Players

Now that you’ve learned the basics of high-stakes poker and how players get to this stage, it’s time to take a closer look at those at the very top. Many have played at the highest level, but only a few carry the title of the deadliest.