Canadian Poker Players
Poker has grown in popularity and significance in Canada, going from a casual pastime to a more serious activity with global influence. You’ll find poker lounges and games available up and down the country, with the option to play in-person at land-based casinos or at online casinos against players worldwide.
Poker is renowned for its high-stakes tournaments, and Canadian players have consistently risen to the challenge, making a significant impact on the global stage and taking home impressive prizes and titles along the way.
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Some of these legends include the likes of Daniel Negreanu, who was key in popularizing the game, making millions from tournament winnings in the process. Canadian poker players like Negreanu have shown off a distinctive style that fuses a calculated level of aggression with a much deeper understanding of the game’s psychological side.
Canadian poker players have become incredibly important in the game’s global scene. Their consistently impressive performances in events like the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour have solidified their status as a formidable force in the poker world.
Here, we’ll look at some of the most influential Canadian players in recent years, their biggest wins, notable achievements, and more. Stay with us, poker fans.
Top Canadian Poker Players
Daniel Negreanu
Canada’s most iconic poker player is undoubtedly Daniel Negreanu. The Toronto-born player is globally recognized for his incredible skill and charismatic personality, both of which have helped him win over $46 million in live poker tournament winnings and established him as one of the highest-earning poker players of all time.
His biggest win came at the 2014 Big One for One Drop, where he landed in second place and took home an impressive $8.28 million. But Negreanu’s success doesn’t depend on a single tournament.
He has won seven World Series of Poker bracelets, with his most recent addition coming in 2024 for the $50,000 buy-in WSOP Poker Players Championship. With his original WSOP victory dating back to 1998, it’s safe to say his reign in poker has been both remarkable and enduring, showcasing his skill and resilience over the years.
He has won a World Series of Poker bracelet seven times, having won his first bracelet in 1998.
Negreanu has also won two World Poker Tour titles and appeared in loads of other high-profile tournaments. It’s his ability to effectively read opponents and adjust his strategy accordingly that has made him such a formidable player over the years. His playstyle and consistent performances even earned him the WSOP Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2013. To date, he remains the only poker player to achieve this.
Timothy Adams
Adams is another top poker player from Canada, boasting over $30 million in tournament winnings. He’s originally from Burlington, Ontario and has built a strong reputation with his consistent performances and impressive tournament victories.
The biggest of these wins came in 2023 when he claimed a prize of $4.18 million at the London $132 No Limit Hold'em Main Event. Other notable wins include $2.16 million at the Super High Roller Bowl Australia. Adams had been on quite a remarkable run, having won the Super High Roller Bowl Bahamas a year before in 2019. This makes him the first player to win back-to-back titles from a prestigious series.
Additionally, Adams also won the World Series of Poker bracelet in 2012 through the $2,500 Four-handed No-Limit Hold’em event. His playstyle is a mix of strategic precision, paired with a calm demeanour when carefully assessing his opponent. All of his achievements over the years have cemented him as a top-tier player in the game.
Sam Greenwood
A leading figure in Canadian poker, Toronto-born Sam Greenwood is renowned for his exceptional performance in high-stakes tournaments around the world. This success has earned him more than $35 million in poker tournament winnings to date.
His biggest success came in the PCA $250,000 Super High Roller in 2023, with a $3.27 million prize. He scored another big win in 2018 at the EPT Monte Carlo €100,000 Super High Roller event, claiming the title that came with a massive $1.85 million prize. That year, Greenwood had already been dominating the high roller circuit, taking home several million-dollar cash prizes from prestigious events.
Throughout his career, Sam Greenwood has proven to be a master of the high-stakes game, claiming several notable achievements, including victories in tournaments such as the Triton Poker Series, Super High Roller Bowl, and the World Poker Tour. He has not yet been able to snag a coveted World Series of Poker bracelet but has competed for it fiercely, showcasing his talent anytime he plays.
Jonathan Duhamel
Another celebrated Canadian poker player, Jonathan Duhamel comes from Boucherville, Quebec. He became the first Canadian to win the prestigious Main Event at the 2010 World Series of Poker, claiming a prize worth $8.94 million. This historic win made him an instant icon and solidified his position among the game’s elite.
Although that victory remains the highlight of his career, Duhamel has enjoyed success on the circuit. Since 2010, he has won two more WSOP bracelets, one of which earned him $3.99 million.
Across his career, his tournament winnings have brought in more than $18 million, making him one of the country’s most successful players. His aggressive playstyle and mental fortitude have made him a strong competitor on the global poker scene. He has used these tactics to face high-profile players at prestigious tournaments worldwide, including the European Poker Tour and the World Poker Tour.
Daniel Dvoress
Originally from Toronto, Daniel Dvoress has gained a remarkable reputation as one of the nation’s most skilled and successful poker players, with impressive achievements in the high-stakes poker scene. He has enjoyed several wins on the global circuit, raking in over $26 million from poker tournament earnings.
Of all his wins, the title he claimed at the 2019 Super High Roller Bowl Bahamas is the biggest, earning him a prize worth $4.08 million. It marked a significant shift in his career, making him one of the game’s top competitors within the super high roller scene. He’s known for his deep strategies and the ability to excel under pressure, no matter how high the stakes might be.
Dvoress has also won other high-stakes events across the globe, including the Triton Poker Series, but is yet to win a World Series of Poker bracelet. He has made the final table on several occasions and shown that he can hold his own against the world’s finest.
Michael Watson
Known as SirWatts in the poker community, Michael Watson is a top Canadian player with a great track record of wins in both live and online tournaments. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Watson has built a fantastic career over the years and has won more than $20 million from tournament earnings.
His biggest win came at the $150,000 + $9,000 No Limit Hold'em 8-Handed event in Jeju, where he placed third with $1.89 million. It was a defining moment for Watson, who showcased his ability to strategize effectively in high-pressure situations. He also claimed a World Series of Poker European bracelet in 2021 through the €50,000 Majestic High Roller event that earned him that earned him €1 million - the equivalent of $1.5 million Canadian.
He has consistently continued to compete at the highest level, with appearances in some of the world’s major tournaments including the European Poker Tour and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
Sorel Mizzi
Mizzi is another prominent figure in the Canadian poker scene, having built a strong track record thanks to his aggressive style of play. Born in Toronto, Sorel Mizzi has risen to become one of the country’s most successful players, boasting over $13 million in poker tournament earnings.
His biggest win came at the GuangDong Asia Millions Main Event in 2013, securing third place and a prize pot of $2,073,868. He also went on to appear in major tournaments such as the European Poker Tour and World Series of Poker. Mizzi is known for his fearless approach and ability to read opponents, making him a dominant force in the game for more than a decade.
Kristen Bicknell
Kristen Foxen, née Bicknell, is one of the country’s most accomplished poker players, having won more than $7.5 million in tournament earnings. She’s originally from St. Catharines, Ontario and emerged as a dominant force in the world of poker thanks to her exceptional skill and relentless approach.
Kristen Foxen’s biggest success came in 2024, placing 13th in the WSOP $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event World Championship for a win of $600,000. Before that, she won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2013, 2016, and 2020. It’s a remarkable achievement that solidifies her status as one of the country’s best players of all time.
She has also appeared at the European Poker Tour and World Poker Tour, showing strategic brilliance and a strong, competitive spirit whenever she plays.
FAQs
Who is the best Canadian poker player?
Daniel Negreanu is generally considered to be the best Canadian poker player of all time.
How much money Has Daniel Negreanu won playing poker?
As of 2024, Daniel Negreanu’s poker winnings have exceeded $52,400,000.
Who is the Canadian woman poker player?
There are several Canadian women playing poker, with the most successful being Kristen Foxen.