“The Nuts” of the Poker World: ESPN’s Top 10 Poker Stars


There are certain names that are synonymous with poker greatness-Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Helmuth… but these are some of the best players of all time. Have you ever wondered who the best poker players of the moment are? The players that you should be following and watching right now for inspiration? ESPN has recently begun releasing a list of the top 10 poker players on a monthly basis. They’re calling their list “The Nuts.”

How is this list compiled? Unlike other lists that give anyone the opportunity to place votes online or send in nominations, “The Nuts” are selected each month by a team of experts at ESPN. The list is created based on current poker news, current tournaments, industry trends and other data. It includes players in all areas of the industry, from cash games to tournaments and everything in between. If someone is truly a poker star they are bound to make it onto ESPN’s list.

The current list, which follows, is made up of the top poker players of the moment from around the globe. If you are looking for a mentor, or just some inspiration, keep your eye on these top players:

1 – Phil Ivey

2 – Jason Mercier

3 – Tom Dwan

4 – Daniel Negreanu

5 – Patrick Antonius

6 – Yevgeniy Timoshenko

7 – Daniel Alaei

8 – Eric Baldwin

9 – Cole South

10 – Scott Seiver