Every year poker brings up some of the biggest stories of the year. This year too didn’t disappoint with Germany’s super star Fedor Holz sitting on the top with $ 16,484,153. This year has been all good for him, as he crushed almost every big season he played and ended up finishing as the top tournament earner for 2016. He is then followed by China’s Elton Tsang, who is another most profitable player of the year with $ 12,248,912. He won the €1 Million Buy-In Big One for One Drop for €11,111,111 that equates to over $12.2million US dollars. On 3rd position, it is Qui Nguyen with $ 8,005,310. He recently won the 2016 WSOP main event earning around $8 million as the top prize.
1.Fedor Holz ($ 16,484,153)
Germany’s Fedor Holz was simply off the chart in 2015, but this year he has crushed almost every big season and ended up getting the top spot with $ 16,484,153. Back in July, he won the No Limit Hold’em High Roller for One Drop (single re-entry) at the 47th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2016, earning $4,981,775. He also claimed the EPT Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller Title for €1.3 Million. Besides, he cashed in several big money and prestigious poker tournaments across the world.
2.Elton Tsang ($ 12,248,912)
China’s Elton Tsang is yet another most profitable player of the year with $ 12,248,912. He won €1 Million Buy-In Big One for One Drop for a massive €11,111,111 back in October 2016. It was the biggest victory in his career. Apart from this, he has cashed it out in several big money events. Overall, this year has been a good one, pushing Tsang on to 2nd spot among the top tournament earners 2016.
3.Qui Nguyen ($ 8,005,310)
Known as professional Baccarat player than a poker player, Qui Nguyen sits on 3rd position among the top earners of the year with $8,005,310 earnings. Recently, the 39-year old Vietnamese-American shocked the world, winning the 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event title. In a 9 hour heads-up, he defeated Gordon Vayo to claim the top prize of $8,005,310 and join the list of the most profitable players in 2016. His best live cash include $8,005,310, while his total earnings amount to $8,058,296.
4.David Peters ($ 6,716,904)
America’s David Peters, who won Aria Super High Roller 13 for $ 511,970 in November this year, holds 4th spot among top earners of 2016. His biggest win came when won 2016 Asia Championship of Poker to earn $ 629,868. He has been grinding it all the way this year and has cashed in several other high profile poker tournaments including 2016 Aria High Roller 43 and Triton Super High Roller Series.
5.Rainer Kempe ($ 6,449,981)
With around $ 6,449,981 earnings, Germany’s Rainer Kempe is also one of the top earners this year. Back in June this year, he won the 2016 Super High Roller Bowl for $5,000,000 after defeating Fedor Holz in heads-up. Besides, he cashed in several globally acclaimed events. His most recent cash include $67,177 for his 4th place finish in the $5,2000 No-Limit Holdem at WPT Five Diamond Classic 2016. His also cashed in August 2016, earning $102,375 for 7th place finish in the $25,500 No-Limit Hold’em $1 Million GTD at 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open.
Other Profitable Players 2016
Some other most profitable poker players in the year 2016 include Rassia’s Anatoly Gurtovy (6th place)who holds $ 5,987,688 in live earnings, America’s Gordon Vayo (7th place) holding $ 5,305,629 and another American Bryn Kenney (8th place) who has earned $ 5,161,767. Anatoly Gurtovy had a good year with several cashes. His biggest cash however came when he finished runner up for $ 5,983,597 in the WSOP No Limit Hold’em Big One For One Drop at the Monte-Carlo One Drop Extravaganza, Monte Carlo. Gordon Vayo finished as runner-up in 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event, earning $ 4,661,228 for his second place finish. Recently in September, he also won the $ 2,400 + 100 The River Series Main Event at 2016 The River Poker Series, Thackerville to claim $ 587,120.
Bryn Kenney who stands 7th among top 10 earners of 2016 also finished as runner-up in HK$ 490,000 + 10,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event for a whopping $ 1,401,694 at the Triton Super High Roller Series, Paranaque City. Sitting on the 9th position is America’s Dan Smith with $4,812,466. He has several wins and cashes to his credit this year. He won $ 24,000 + 1,000 No Limit Hold’em event of Aria High Roller 46, Las Vegas to earn $ 312,000, while he finished 2nd in the WSOP $ 111,111 No Limit Hold’em High Roller for One Drop (single re-entry) (Event #67) for $ 3,078,974. Finally holding 10th place among top tournament earners is another American named Erik Seidel with $ 4,723,331 earnings. Back in November this year, he finished 2nd in the $ 48,000 + 2,000 No Limit Hold’em event of Aria Super High Roller 13, Las Vegas. Besides, also cashed in several big money tournaments 2016.
A Glance at Top 10 Tournament Earners 2016:
#1st. Fedor Holz $ 16,484,153
#2nd. Elton Tsang $ 12,248,912
#3rd. Qui Nguyen $ 8,005,310
#4th. David Peters $ 6,716,904
#5th. Rainer Kempe $ 6,449,981
#6th. Anatoly Gurtovy$ 5,987,688
#7th. Gordon Vayo $ 5,305,629
#8th. Bryn Kenney $ 5,161,767
#9th. Dan Smith $ 4,812,466
#10th.Erik Seidel $ 4,723,331