Most Successful Canadian Poker Players

The constantly increasing poker popularity in Canada opened the scene for many star players who have made a name within the country and in the international arena. Those of over 3.1+ million gamblers who became the top Canadian poker players deserve your attention and acknowledgment. Our blog will acquaint you with the most incredible personalities in the Great White North’s poker world.

A Glimpse into Canadian Poker History

The history of poker in Canada began sometime in the 19th century. No one knows the exact dates, but researchers say it happened in approximately the same period in the entire North America.

It was not until the 20th century that poker games gained true popularity. However, strict gambling legislation limited the sphere and didn’t allow it to grow.

Everything changed in 1969 with the appropriate amendments to the Canadian Penal Code. They removed obstacles to legally playing poker games, and the sphere started to develop at an immense pace. The last decade of the 20th and the first of the 21st century was the time of the biggest growth. That’s when some of the most successful poker players started their careers. The industry thrives in the 2020s, and the new generation of talented gamblers paves its way to greatness.

Top 10 Canadian Poker Players

We have compiled a list of Canadians with notable achievements in the poker sphere. It includes some big names who won prestigious international tournaments and made a fortune playing poker. Here are the top 10 players every poker fan should know:

1. Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu isn’t some regular Canadian poker player. He is a true star with 6 WSOP trophies and top places in other high-ranked tournaments like the World Poker Tour. Negreanu’s victories have brought him not just fame but also a solid fortune of C$42M+.

2. Timothy Adams

The second-best player in the Canadian ranking, Timothy Adams is a 7-time High Rollers tournament winner. He also has 1 WSOP and 3 European Poker Tour wins. Adams’ tournament achievements helped him earn over C$24M.

3. Sam Greenwood

This poker player with a stock trader background has won almost every top-ranked international tournament at least once. This includes WSOP, WPT, EPT, High Rollers, and Aussie Millions. His overall winnings of C$22M+ are a fair reward for Greenwood’s talent and effort.

4. Jonathan Duhamel

3-time WSOP and 2-time WPT winner, Jonathan Duhamel is among the highest earning poker players in Canada. He stands out with the biggest single cash win of C$8.94M. His overall earnings exceed C$18M.

5. Daniel Dvoress

Daniel Dvoress’ trophy portfolio includes only 1 High Rollers top prize. However, he reached the High Rollers and EPT finals over three dozen times, which helped him earn C$15M+.

6. Mike McDonald

The youngest person to win EPT, McDonald is among the most promising poker players to watch. He has 4 major tournament trophies and dozens of finals appearances. Famous for his mind-blowing winning streaks, Mike McDonald has made C$13+ through his lifetime career.

7. Sorel Mizzi

Sorel Mizzi achieved notable poker world success despite some career hardships in his early ages. He has won C$12M+ due to numerous tournament finals, 2 WPT trophies, and 3 EPT first places.

8. Michael Watson

Michael Watson is among the best Canadian poker players online. He is a legend of the Internet gambling platform with an impressive portfolio of wins. Watson is a 2-time WSOP and Aussie Millions champion with a fortune of C$12M+.

9. Petter Jetten

Petter Jetten is another skilled player from the online gambling world. He has only a few tournament wins, but Jetten frequently ends up in finals. It all helped him earn over C$9M on poker games.

10. Mike Leah

Such a great personality to conclude our list! Mike Leah is a former professional wrestler who has made a name in the Canadian poker world. His earnings of almost C$8M prove a talented person may be successful in more than one thing.

Top 10 Live Poker Players in Canada Ranked By Winnings

Rising Stars and Future Prospects

Old guard Canadian poker players have reached significant highest in the international poker arena, and they continue to perfect their skills to become even better. However, many younger players have emerged in recent years trying to get their pieces of the pie and surpass the gambling veterans. Some of them are already in the top ranking.

Here are the promising personalities whose poker careers are likely to skyrocket in the future:

• Jamie Staples was born in 1991 when some of today’s poker legends had already started to participate in international tournaments. This young man has gained popularity in the community due to his poker play streams on Twitch. He is very good at playing online and has bright prospects for becoming the top Canadian poker player.
• Mike McDonald is a 34-year-old player who has made an incredible debut on EPT. He is already on the Canadian top 10 list and keeps pushing to reach first place.
• Jonathan Duhamel. A Quebec-raised poker player, Jonathan Duhamel was born in 1987 when the Canadian poker boom had just started. He has reached incredible heights during his career, currently occupying the 4th position in the country’s ranking. He has a good chance of hitting the first three soon.

The thriving Canadian poker sphere is like a magnet for talented young players. It attracts dozens of incredible gamblers under the age of 30, so who knows what the top 10 list will look like in 3 or 5 years.

Canadian Poker Community

Canadian poker players are lucky to have an established community, which includes online and offline gambling venues, poker groups, social media channels, and forums. A rookie can easily find information and a place to play.

Here are some of the largest Canadian poker groups to consider:

• OPTpoker;
• Montreal Poker Meetup;
• Social Poker Club! Toronto;
• York Region Poker League;
• North York No Limit Texas Hold’em Meetup.

Do you prefer online gambling? Then, choose one of the top online platforms:

• 888 Poker;
• GGPoker;
• BetOnline;
• WSOP.ca Ontario;
• Bodog.

Land-based poker experience fans can find poker rooms throughout the country, including those in the mortar-and-brick casinos. Consider Casino Niagara, Calgary’s Gray Eagle, Playground Poker Club, and Winnipeg’s Club Regent.

Final Thoughts

Canadian poker players have truly reached an incredible level within the country and in international competitions. We hope their stories inspired you to pursue your own road to success. Our blog has much more useful information on poker and casinos, so click the Subscribe button to get the latest updates. Learn more about the gambling world, enjoy poker, and don’t forget to play responsibly!