Top 7 Biggest Poker Tournament Winnings

Poker is a popular card game that is enjoyed by millions of people around the globe. To some, it is just a hobby, but to others, it is a way to earn their living. Anyone can win a few hundred bucks, but professionals earn much, much more. Many players begin their journey through online poker tournaments, where small investments can lead to big payouts. Here are the largest tournament winnings in poker history — and trust us, the figures will amaze you.

7th Place — Determined Pius Heinz

Just 22 years old, the German player had already earned $700,000 from online poker tournaments. But he did not stop there. Putting his winnings back into more tournaments, he transitioned from online to live poker, then proceeded to win a series in Las Vegas and reach the final table of the WSOP. There, he won first prize and took home $8,715,638. Despite all his achievements, Heinz continues to play online poker for pleasure.

6th Place — Swiped from Jonathan Duhamel

Duhamel spent years waiting for his poker career to culminate in the WSOP Main Event final table. At age 23, he sat down in the final as chip leader and never lost the advantage throughout the game. He took home $8,944,310, some of which he donated to charity. Unfortunately, he was then mugged — thieves stole his WSOP bracelet, a valuable watch, and part of his winnings. Shockingly, his ex-girlfriend had orchestrated the heist as a result of dissatisfaction with his average gifts.

5th Place — Surprised Peter Eastgate

The Danish pro had been interested in poker from his early twenties but never thought of it as his main source of income. A chance win in a Ladbrokes marketing contest allowed him to cover buy-in, travel, and living costs for the WSOP Main Event. Beating over 7,000 players, Eastgate fought past former champion Ivan Demidov in a heads-up match that lasted over four hours. Tired, Eastgate was only able to utter that he was surprised at winning the $9,152,416. 

4th Place — Grounded Martin Jacobson

Despite dreaming of being a chef, Swedish pro Martin Jacobson decided to play poker professionally. He has won over $14 million in total, the majority of it from his $10 million WSOP Main Event top prize. As a millionaire, Jacobson remains down-to-earth and continues competing in tournaments with aspirations of winning another giant.

3rd Place — Lucky Jamie Gold

The brash American won $12 million in the WSOP Main Event, seeming to have the top hand at all times. However, outside the tournament world, his poker career wasn't as successful, and this made everyone in the media and among other players suspicious. But nothing nefarious was ever proved, and Gold got to keep his winnings.

2nd Place — Grieving Daniel Colman

Another American, Colman won $15,306,668 playing during the "Big One for One Drop" event under the WSOP series. He managed to pay the $1 million buy-in and defeated Daniel Negreanu in heads-up. Ironically enough, Colman did not seem to be delighted at his win, merely stating that poker is a "very cruel game."

1st Place — Elusive Antonio Esfandiari

A former magician turned poker player, Esfandiari entered the WSOP "Big One for One Drop" tournament with meager expectations from onlookers. Not only did he finish as the chip leader but also defeated Sam Trickett at the heads-up final, taking home a record-breaking $18,346,873.

Poker is not all about luck — it's about skill, patience, and aggressive action at the moment when they are most needed. The backstories of these champions prove that great success can be accomplished from humble beginnings, either online or at the Vegas felt tables. Some players chase titles, some chase dollars, but they all share an affinity for poker. Whether you're a mere recreational player or thinking about your own moment in the limelight, poker always has a seat at the table. Who knows — perhaps the next person on this list might be you.