At its core, poker is a game of nerve, patience, and perfectly timed aggression. But when the stakes soar into eight and even nine figures, it becomes something else entirely. A global spectacle.
Over the last two decades, poker has transformed from a backroom pastime to front-page news, with tournaments offering prize pools that rival major sports championships. The game’s growth hasn’t just come from glitzy Las Vegas ballrooms.
With the rise of online and digital platforms, players from across the world can now buy in, bluff, and battle for millions without ever leaving their living room. That’s especially true for crypto poker, which has opened up faster, more accessible tournaments by enabling instant buy-ins and withdrawals, regardless of borders or bank delays.
But which events topped them all? Here are the ten largest prize pools in poker history, and the incredible stories behind each one.
1. WSOP Main Event 2024 – $94,041,600
The 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event made history with the largest prize pool ever recorded: over $94 million. It drew more than 10,000 players, each chasing poker immortality and a piece of the massive pot.
Jonathan Tamayo claimed the title, earning a clean $10 million. But what really stood out was the atmosphere. A record-breaking turnout, an electric final table, and a global audience tuning in to witness a new high-water mark for the game.
2. WSOP Main Event 2023 – $93,399,900
Just one year earlier, the 2023 WSOP Main Event came within striking distance of the all-time record. With $93.4 million in total prize money and more than 10,000 entrants, it was a clear sign that poker’s popularity hadn’t peaked. It was still growing.
Daniel Weinman took home the bracelet and the biggest first-place payout in Main Event history: $12.1 million. It was a huge win for a player who’d quietly built a reputation over the years on the circuit.
3. WSOP Main Event 2006 – $82,512,162
Back in 2006, Jamie Gold rode a wave of confidence (and table talk) to the top of what was then the biggest poker tournament ever. This was the peak poker boom era: televised coverage, celebrity players, and online qualifiers pouring in.
Gold’s win and the $12 million first-place prize made headlines around the world. It also helped push poker into mainstream culture, proving that anyone with $10,000—and the nerve—could take on the pros and win.
4. WSOP Main Event 2022 – $80,782,475
Espen Jørstad walked away with $10 million in 2022 after outlasting a field of more than 8,600 players. The prize pool of nearly $81 million underscored the post-pandemic return of live poker and showed that WSOP remained the crown jewel of the game.
For many, it was more than just a tournament. It was a sign that the poker world was back in full swing, with more energy, more entries, and more cash on the line than ever before.
5. WSOP Main Event 2019 – $80,548,600
Hossein Ensan’s win at the 2019 Main Event marked another massive year for poker. The prize pool? $80.5 million, split among the 1,286 finishers who made it into the money.
Ensan, a 55-year-old professional from Germany, secured a $10 million payday and showed that experience and patience still count at the highest levels.
6. WSOP Main Event 2018 – $74,015,600
John Cynn earned $8.8 million in 2018 after enduring one of the longest heads-up battles in WSOP history. With $74 million up for grabs, the tournament tested every ounce of mental stamina.
The field was packed with seasoned pros and rising online stars, but it was Cynn’s calm presence and well-timed moves that carried him to the top.
7. WSOP Main Event 2010 – $68,799,059
Jonathan Duhamel became the first Canadian to win the Main Event, taking home $8.94 million after beating a field of more than 7,300 players. The $68.8 million prize pool was a sign that poker’s post-boom decline wasn’t as steep as some had feared.
Duhamel’s aggressive style and sharp reads helped him dominate the final table, and his win kicked off a wave of Canadian success stories in the years that followed.
8. WSOP Main Event 2017 – $67,877,400
Scott Blumstein’s run in 2017 was as clean as it gets. He started the final table as chip leader and never gave it up, cruising to an $8.15 million victory. The prize pool? Nearly $68 million.
Blumstein wasn’t a household name going in, but his calm demeanor and thoughtful play quickly won over fans. He’s since become a vocal ambassador for the mental side of the game.
9. Triton Million 2019 – $65,660,000
The only non-WSOP event in the top 10, the Triton Million was a spectacle in every sense. Held in London with a $1.2 million buy-in, it featured hedge fund managers, high-rolling crypto whales, and elite pros.
Aaron Zang technically won the tournament, but a final table deal saw runner-up Bryn Kenney walk away with $16.77 million, the largest single payout ever in a poker event. This tournament helped redefine what a high roller event could look like.
10. WSOP Main Event 2011 – $64,531,000
Rounding out the list is Pius Heinz, who took home $8.7 million in 2011 after beating a field of nearly 7,000 players. The $64.5 million prize pool marked another strong year during the poker world’s decade-long run of success.
At just 22 years old, Heinz became the first German player to win the Main Event, inspiring a wave of young talent across Europe.
Bonus Mention: Big One for One Drop 2012 – $42,666,672
While not in the top ten by total prize pool, the Big One for One Drop deserves special recognition. With a $1 million buy-in and a philanthropic focus, it awarded Antonio Esfandiari an eye-popping $18.3 million, still the biggest first-place prize in poker history. It was a different kind of poker event: luxury, charity, and nosebleed stakes all rolled into one.
Final Deal
The numbers don’t lie. Poker is big business, and these ten tournaments are proof. Whether it’s a global WSOP showdown or an invite-only high roller with billionaire backers, the prize pools keep climbing.
And as online poker platforms continue to grow, there’s every reason to believe that we haven’t seen the largest poker prize pool yet. The next record-breaker might be just one tournament away.