Beyond a doubt millions and millions of players want to be the next "big-time thing" in poker, but here is a short list of four of the more noteworthy "great pros" of the game. Although "nice" is connected with their names when you are at a poker table it is "no more Mr. Nice guy" until they have put you out of the game!
Daniel Negreanu
In 2004, his competition payouts amounted to in the region of four and a half million dollars and he won two highly respected awards in the World Series of Poker Player of the Year and Cardplayer Magazine’s Competition Player of the Year. In Feb Two Thousand and Six he was named Card Player’s Favourite Poker Player. Daniel even still has the decency to speak with his admirers about how they might advance their own game.
Howard Lederer
Known as "The Professor" and sibling of fellow poker professional Annie Duke. His accomplishments have lead to him making an instructional poker video named "Secrets of No Limit Hold’em" and also hosting a tournament poker show for Fox TV. As of Two Thousand and Five, his total life time earnings exceed $2.7 million.
Scotty Nguyen
Scott is 1 of the busiest players in poker and from Two Thousand to Two Thousand and Four he ranked in the money in excess of one hundred events. He’s noted for saying "yeah baby" during poker matches and also coined the term "that’s poker baby" when referring to a especially bad defeat. As of 2006, his life time winnings are almost six million dollars.
Chris Ferguson
Chris has earned 5 World Series of Poker titles with 2 of his successes coming in 2003. Has the nickname "Jesus" because of his trademark long hair and beard, along with his ability to throw cards fast enough to cut through bananas and pickles. As of Two Thousand and Five his total live poker tournament winnings exceeded five million dollars.