Exploring the Legendary Poker Nicknames

Poker boasts a vibrant community filled with dynamic personalities that truly stand out. The game's rich cultural heritage and fascinating history contribute to its distinct character, evidenced by the essential role that nicknames play.

Although several poker nicknames might serve more as titles of honor, many players find that their nicknames overshadow their real names in frequency of use.

With a plethora of captivating characters gracing the tables, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the nicknames of poker players .

Poker Nickname Styles

Poker nicknames exhibit a notable level of creativity overall. Countless hours spent at the tables enable players to engage in playful banter and jokes, leading to the emergence of various imaginative nicknames over the years.

Personal Traits and History

The way in which these nicknames are formulated appears to be linked to observable physical and personal characteristics. Attributes such as height, intelligence, and playing style can naturally inspire nicknames, making them easily recognizable.

Reflections on the early days of poker reveal a treasure trove of extraordinary aliases belonging to its legendary players. One notable example is Bryan \"Sailor\" Roberts , who triumphed at the World Series of Poker Main Event in 1975. Sailor shared his journey with poker greats Doyle Brunson and Amarillo Slim Preston, participating in underground games throughout Texas and the Southwest. His moniker originated from his service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Another iconic figure in the world of Texas poker, Jack Straus , possesses a nickname that has become well-known alongside a famous poker saying. At an impressive height of 6 feet, 6 inches, he was aptly dubbed \" Treetop \".

In 1982, he claimed victory at the WSOP Main Event following a massive raise that was presumed to encompass all his chips. Although he lost that particular hand, the revelation of a single 500 chip hidden under a napkin led to a remarkable comeback, culminating in the well-known adage: \"All you need is a chip and a chair.\" Straus was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988, allegedly passing away at a table that same year.

Mike Sexton, a former commentator for the World Poker Tour and Poker Hall of Fame member, remarked, \"He was possibly the most tenacious player of his time. It seemed as if he played more hands than Phil Ivey and Tom 'Durrrr' Dwan combined! His demeanor at the table was commendable; he never complained about bad beats, berated the dealers, or criticized his opponents' gameplay.\"

Another player with a distinctive and memorable moniker is seasoned poker professional Phil \"The Unabomber\" Laak . Known since the 2000s, he was once roommates with fellow player Antonio Esfandiari . Laak’s nickname stems from his striking resemblance to the infamous image of criminal Ted Kaczynski, often associated with his garb of a hoodie and sunglasses.

Though Laak is far more lighthearted and law-abiding than the notorious figure he resembles, he's known for making bold moves at the poker table. Esfandiari, who has also carved out a niche for himself in the poker community, carries the imaginative nickname of \" The Magician \" due to his impressive card tricks and sleight of hand – skills that serve him well at the table.

Signs of Respect

There’s another category of nicknames that recognizes players for their exceptional careers and talents. A notable example is the esteemed Texas poker figure Johnny Moss , a three-time winner of the WSOP Main Event who holds the distinction of having claimed the very first two championships.

Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979, the inaugural year of this honored institution, Moss secured a remarkable total of nine WSOP bracelets before his passing in 1995 at the age of 88. For his monumental contributions to poker, he was affectionately dubbed the \" Grand Old Man of Poker .\" His biography, published in 1981, bore the title \"Champion of Champions,\" memorializing his prowess across a myriad of games.

In his book, he stated, \"A gambler must be adept at any game that is available. In a fair contest, the player with superior focus will almost invariably triumph.\"

Mike Caro has had a lengthy career in poker, but he is perhaps most recognized for sharing his insights and strategies with others. He operates theMike Caro University of Poker (MCU), where he offers complimentary advice and tips to players honing their craft. Caro contributed the draw poker chapter to Doyle Brunson’s renowned strategy guide, Super-System.

As a long-time columnist, he’s also acquired the nickname \" Mad Genius of Poker \" thanks to his expansive knowledge of the game—his wild hairstyle adds a fun twist to the persona.

Many people recognize Barry Greenstein not just for his achievements on the poker circuit, but also for his philanthropic endeavors. With three WSOP bracelets, two WPT titles, and nearly $8.4 million in live tournament earnings, Greenstein has built an impressive profile in the poker world. After growing up in Chicago, he earned a doctorate in mathematics and worked with Symantec.

Leaving his job at the age of 36 in 1991, Greenstein embarked on a successful poker journey, dedicating a significant portion of his winnings to charitable causes, particularly those supporting children. After winning $770,000 in a Seven-Card Stud event in 2003, he generously donated $440,000 to charity, earning him the title of \" Robin Hood of Poker .\" He was welcomed into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011 and showcased the charitable spirit of the game.

Cultural Backgrounds, National Identity, and Ancestry

While many nicknames arise organically, some that reflect a player's nationality or hometown are particularly memorable. For instance, Doyle \"Texas Dolly\" Brunson is a fitting name, originating from his Texas roots. He received this nickname from Jimmy \"The Greek\" Snyder , who referred to him as Texas Doyle in a column in the Las Vegas Sun in the early 1970s.

In his autobiography The Godfather of Poker, Brunson recalls, \"I was trying to stay out of the spotlight because of the negative perceptions associated with gambling back home in Texas. Jimmy and I became good friends, and I requested that he omit my last name. He agreed, suggesting that Texas Doyle would suffice.\"

Snyder affectionately called him \"Doylee,\" which was misinterpreted by another journalist as \"Dolly,\" and thus the nickname Texas Dolly came into use and was reported by the Associated Press soon after.

Numerous poker players have geography-themed nicknames. For instance, Thomas Preston , who won the 1972 WSOP Main Event, became known as \" Amarillo Slim \" due to his slender physique and Texas upbringing. Similarly, Danish poker star Gus Hansen , celebrated as the \" Great Dane \", gained fame for winning significant amounts in cash games, accompanied by three WPT titles and one WSOP bracelet; his name became synonymous with the poker boom.

The nickname \" Cowboy \" is shared by a couple of southern players, Byron Wolford and Hoyt Corkins , both known for their cowboy hats at the table. Their nicknames reflect not only their attire but also their southern roots—Corkins hails from Alabama while Wolford is from Texas. Two-time Main Event champion Johnny Chan won consecutive titles in 1987 and 1988, and having fled China in his youth, he earned the nickname \" The Orient Express \".

Phil Ivey , in his early days, was known as \" No Home Jerome \"—a name acquired during his time on the Atlantic City poker scene. Under the guise of a fake ID with the name Jerome, he frequently engaged in games at the Taj Mahal and Tropicana, becoming a staple at the poker room and earning this distinctive nickname for always being present.

Unique Online Poker Handles and Distinct Nicknames

Over time, the trend of poker nicknames has evolved significantly. The poker boom introduced a whole new trend of names specifically for the online gaming environment. alias Numerous players who excelled in online poker garnered fame primarily through their unique usernames rather than their actual names.

An iconic figure in this realm is Canadian poker superstar Mike “Timex” McDonald . Having made a name for himself online since he was 18, Timex has accumulated an impressive $13.3 million in live tournament earnings, not to mention even larger sums from his online successes. He hails from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he displayed remarkable mathematical abilities from a young age.

After he stumbled upon poker during his teenage years, his analytical skills began to yield significant rewards. Remarkably, on his 22nd birthday, McDonald triumphed in the second event of the now-defunct Epic Poker League held in Las Vegas' Palms Casino, walking away with a prize of $782,410. But how did he come up with his intriguing alias? online poker The story behind that unique nickname is less dramatic than some others, yet it has definitely stuck in the poker community.

He explained, “I simply picked the first thing that popped into my head,” recounting how he glanced at his Timex watch – and found it was still available as a username.

Similarly, another major player in the online circuit, Tom Dwan , also adopted a distinctive nickname that has become synonymous with his persona. Known as Durrrr , he has become well-known for his participation in high-stakes cash games across Asia. Dwan also featured prominently in the acclaimed book Ship It Holla Ballas! by Jonathan Grotenstein and Storms Reback.

Dwan has accumulated $3.4 million from live tournaments, but his real fortune lies in cash games where he has won even larger amounts. In a conversation, he revealed that he chose the name “ durrrr ” strategically, as it was a nickname he believed would irritate his opponents, leaving them with a sour taste of defeat.

Viktor Blom stands out with his striking online alias. Having raked in millions through online play, his moniker Isildur1 has become famous within the poker community. This Swedish sensation began playing at the highest stakes around the late 2000s and became involved in some of the most significant online poker contests ever.

Blom faced off against notable opponents online, such as Dwan, Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, Brian Hastings, and many others. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings may catch a glimpse of where Blom drew inspiration for his nickname, which was definitely more creative than his earlier handle, Blom90 .

Poker Players Nickname Chart

* age of player at death

NA – age not available