Who is the Greatest No Limit Holdem Player in the World

agreed, i didn't know it had such a following. I like celebrity poker if that counts

 

Ivey wears Rockets stuff, so he's cool, but the man is Brunson.

It's as if Babe Ruth was still playing baseball.

 

I don't like Jamie Gold, he uses steriods.

 

I like Daniel, dude makes ridiculous reads. love hearing him say the persons hand, can always get it exactly right.

I'd say Ivey....just like the way he plays too, doesnt talk to much, just goes about whooping ass.

Phil is hilarious to watch

 

Wouldn't "Rocketman Tex" be a good name, and character, for Texas Hold Em? The name is perfect. Now we just need to teach him how to play.

 

How the hell do you consider that a bluff? (when Phil actually think he have the best hand with top pair with a good kicker) is just an idiotic play by Tran, who the hell would fold a set?

 

i remember seeing that move, but i've also read that it was possibly a hand edited by ESPN to add drama to the WSOP. when questioned about that hand, Tran said he had no recollection of it.

 

Nah, the best bluff was Hellmuth bluffing Mike the Mouth off of his pocket Kings with the hammer, 7-2, on High Stakes Poker.

 

I'm a legend in my circle of friends when it comes to strip poker.

 

oh an cunningham is sweet too

 

There really isn't just one. Negreanu, Ivey, Reese, Forrest, and some others would all be at the top, though. Daniel is my favorite because he is so accessible to the public with his blog, his reading ability, and his overall play. Many pros and people who know poker well would tell you Reese. He owns the highest stakes cash games. Forrest isn't as big of a name, but people in the know would put him up there as well.

I think Brunson isn't so great anymore in his old age. He's still better than most obviously, but he can't compete with some of the young guns of today. Hellmuth is only good in NL Hold 'Em tournaments, so he can't be on here. Layne Flack is real good, but his name doesn't belong on this poll.

 

What do you think the over/under will be on someone posting "want to play strip poker with me and my buddies sometime in the near future"?

 

Some of those poll options are terrible NL Holdem players and some are only good at tournaments and are regular losers in cash games - both live and online. Some don't even play NL Holdem that much.

Out of those players, I would pick Phil Ivey. He is most likely a winner in every poker game there is, both live and online.

As mentioned, Brian Townsend (sbrugby) and Patrik Antonius, should at least be options. They have proved they are able to beat nosebleed-high stakes games, not only internet, but live games as well.

 

I've seen Negreanu make some ridiculous reads, I like his game.

 

Online play should not be considered a factor in this. Live is what counts. Cash and tournaments. Negreanu is my favorite but gotta be Ivey.

 

Same can probably be said for most of the players on that list. However in a NLH tournament I think I would have to go with Hellmuth. He plays a different style then most for the "young guns" do now which I think in the long run produces the best results. There are too many people playing high risk/high reward poker which can work great at times but it’s the "small ball" approach that seems to do well consistently. Negreanu is coming out with a book that teaches the small ball style which I'm sure will be very good. Plus today’s players can all play great poker preflop but can't play worth a crap after. I've adopted a style that basically has me making a lot of calls (in good position) preflop with almost no raises and becoming VERY aggressive on the flop and turn.

Cash games are really a sticky subject with me. I think a NL ring game compared to a Limit game are 2 completely different animals. Most pros are girding it out on a 30/60 - 100/200 tables right now and get no credit for their skill compared to the tournament players. Hell, the "Big Game" is actually a very high stakes LIMIT game with several different games being played.

 

Why the lack of love for Johnny Chan here? All-time legend with 10 bracelets, including WSOP wins in 87, 88, and a 2nd place in 89. Then there is his Poker Superstars record - an annual series of events between 40 of the top pros. He came in second the first year, won the second year, and made it to the semi-finals the third year.

He has a great table presence, composure, makes great reads, and plays in a manner that is hard to read.