Men Nguyen
The first name at my top five poker players list is Men Nguyen, also known as “the master”. Men got his nickname for a very good reason. He is, in this writer’s opinion, the most dedicated poker player there is. For spectators who watch his at a tournament for the first time, it may seem as if he is not entirely focused on the game – this can not be more further from the truth. Men is always more prepared then anyone else and he is constantly eager to learn more strategies and more gaming moves. He is the best in reading his opponent’s hand and also one of the most pleasant people to ever sit at a poker table. And so, he is number one in this list.
T.J.Cloutier
Thomas J.Cloutier is the only person in the history of the World Series of Poker to have won events in Pot Limit High, Limit High, and Limit 8-or-Better High-low split.
He has won more tournaments then any other poker player and is considered, by fellow poker players, as one of the best poker players in the world.
Cloutier has won more money in tournaments then titles, and he is the first player to ever win at a tournament an amount of over one million dollars without winning the main event. He has won over the year’s sum of over seven million dollars and he is number two in this list.
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth is probably the one poker player who achieved the most in the shortest period of time. He is the youngest person to ever achieve his first World Series of Poker title at the age of 24. Hellmuth won at more than 50 tournaments, and received nine World Series of Poker bracelets in many other tournaments all around the world. He released several poker books which one of them entered The New York Times Bestseller list and there is soon to be a reality show staring him.
His goal is to be known as the best poker player of all times. In 1996 the poker industry voted him the “best all around tournament poker player in the world”. In this list, he is number three.
Johnny Chan
Johnny Chan won twice at the World Series of Poker, and shares this achievement with only one other person (Doyle Brunson).he won two years in a row and almost accomplished three years, but came in second after Phil Hellmuth (number three in this list).He released two poker books and played himself, in the movie “Rounders”, as the best poker player in the world.
In 2002 he entered the Poker Hall of Fame, but in this list, he entered the fourth place.
Phil Laak
Number five in this list is Phil Laak, also known as “the Unabomber”. Laak got his nick name for always wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses at the poker table.
One can not say he is one of the greatest achievers in the poker industry, but his attitude to the game is a unique one, and that is why he is on this list. During the game, Laak focuses on his gaming moves, rather then his situation inside the game. Sometimes he allows himself to “go for the win” but usually it is not his goal. The goal for Laak is the game and the quality of his moves. And for that he is in my top five poker players list.
All the material of “five of the best” has been supplied by Jack Reider, editor of gambling-portal.com.
