The Largest Poker Jackpots Ever Won: How Players Won Millions at the Table

There’s something undeniably magnetic about watching someone turn a hand of cards into a multimillion-dollar payday. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a casual player, or just someone who enjoys the thrill of the game, the allure of poker jackpots is hard to ignore. That’s why Jackpot Sounds features casino big win replays — to let you relive those heart-pounding moments when fortunes change with the flip of a card.

But some wins go far beyond the ordinary. In the world of poker, a few historic victories have stood out not only for their jaw-dropping payouts but also for the stories behind them—tales of bold bluffs, brilliant reads, and fate tilting the odds.

#1. The $18.3 Million Man—Antonio Esfandiari (The Big One for One Drop, 2012)

Let’s kick things off with the crème de la crème.

In 2012, Iranian-American poker professional Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari pulled off what’s still considered the single largest tournament prize in live poker history. He won a staggering $18.3 million (£14.2 million) by topping the $1,000,000 buy-in Big One for One Drop event, held as part of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.

The tournament was not just a poker milestone but a philanthropic event, raising millions for water-related charities through the One Drop Foundation. Esfandiari outlasted 47 other entrants, including industry legends such as Phil Hellmuth and Sam Trickett, the latter of whom finished second, earning over $10 million.

The win didn’t just elevate Esfandiari’s career—it catapulted him to the top of the all-time money list at the time. And as if that wasn’t enough, he celebrated by performing a handstand, right there at the final table.

#2. Elton Tsang’s €11 Million Triumph—Monte Carlo One Drop Extravaganza (2016)

Moving from the Nevada desert to the glamour of the French Riviera, the Monte Carlo One Drop Extravaganza in 2016 offered another record-breaking prize. Elton Tsang, a Canadian-born Hong Kong businessman, walked away with €11,111,111—that’s around £9.5 million at the time, or over $12 million USD.

Held at the Casino de Monte-Carlo—a venue dripping with old-world elegance—the €1 million buy-in private tournament gathered an elite group of businessmen and recreational players. Tsang beat a field of 28 players in a specially tailored, invite-only format that kept the pros to a minimum.

Interestingly, Tsang wasn’t a household poker name before this event, but this win certainly put him on the map. As the chips fell his way, Tsang proved that even in poker’s elite circles, underdogs still have their day.

#3. Jamie Gold’s 2006 WSOP Main Event Victory—$12 Million

Back in 2006, poker was booming. Online platforms were on fire, and the World Series of Poker saw a record 8,773 players register for the Main Event, each putting up $10,000 for a shot at glory.

Jamie Gold, a TV producer and amateur player from California, outplayed them all and claimed $12 million (£6.5 million at the time), the largest prize ever awarded in a WSOP Main Event.

His strategy? A cocktail of hyper-aggression, talking players into folding, and a few lucky breaks. Some dubbed him a “table talker,” but there’s no denying the effectiveness of his unorthodox methods.

Gold’s victory sparked plenty of controversy over unpaid backer deals and disputes over prize splits, but the number remains one of poker’s all-time biggest jackpots.

#4. Bryn Kenney’s Record Cash: $20.5 Million in a Single Event (Sort Of…)

While Antonio Esfandiari’s win is still the largest single payout in terms of pure first-place prize, Bryn Kenney holds the record for the most money ever won in a single poker event, with a twist.

In 2019, the Triton Million for Charity in London had a £1.05 million buy-in (roughly $1.3 million). Kenney technically came in second, but due to a deal made heads-up with eventual winner Aaron Zang, Kenney walked away with $20.5 million (£16.7 million).

Yes, you read that right—the runner-up made more than the winner.

Kenney’s massive win didn’t just pad his bank account—it propelled him to #1 on the all-time live earnings list, overtaking poker royalty like Daniel Negreanu.

#5. Online Poker’s Biggest Jackpot: Tyson “potterpoker” Marks – $2.3 Million (2010 WCOOP)

You don’t have to fly to Monaco or wear a tux in Vegas to win a fortune. Online poker has created overnight millionaires too.

In 2010, Tyson Marks, playing under the screen name “potterpoker,” took down the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) Main Event on PokerStars, earning $2.3 million (£1.5 million). At the time, it was the biggest online poker payout ever.

The $5,200 buy-in event had 2,443 entrants and saw the final table play out over virtual felt, streamed to tens of thousands of railbirds worldwide. Tyson’s win was a true digital age poker miracle—he hadn’t been a prominent player before the tournament, but that changed in one night.

#6. Record-breaking Bad Beat Jackpot—$1.2 Million at Playground Poker Club (2017)

Not all giant jackpots come from winning first place. In 2017, a Bad Beat Jackpot at Playground Poker Club in Kahnawake, Quebec, paid out an astonishing $1.2 million CAD (around £700,000 at the time).

The winning hand? Quad sevens beaten by a straight flush.

The “losing” player with the quads got the lion’s share of the jackpot, pocketing over $460,000, while the winner of the hand walked off with $230,000. The rest was split among the remaining players at the table.

It just goes to show—sometimes losing with a monster hand is the best way to win big.

What Can We Learn from These Poker Jackpots?

Beyond the glitz and headlines, there’s something very human about these stories. Poker jackpots represent more than just numbers—they’re tales of calculated risk, mind games, and moments where fate took a turn.

This is what these wins remind us:

● Timing is everything. Whether it’s making a hero call or registering for a massive-field tournament, the right moment can define your bankroll for years.

● Table talk can be a weapon. Jamie Gold proved that psychology is half the game.

● Even losing can pay. Bad beat jackpots and deal-making at the final table mean there’s more than one way to cash in.

● Anyone can win. Part-timers or individuals with little to no experience won some of the largest jackpots.

So, whether you’re grinding online or taking a seat at your local card room, keep your wits about you—you never know when your turn will come.

Final Thoughts

Let’s not beat around the bush—chasing poker jackpots is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a game of high variance, long hours, and intense pressure. But it’s also a game of endless possibility.

You don’t need to play nosebleed stakes to dream big. Even a small tournament win or satellite qualification can be the first domino in your jackpot story. Just remember the golden rule: never risk more than you can afford to lose, and play the long game.

After all, as the British say, keep your pecker up. Because in poker, the next shuffle might just change your life.