Texas Holdem Nicknames

Better known as Eskimo. May not be the most famous player on the list, but looks the part and he continued playing the in a 2007 World Series of Poker $5,000 Razz event despite suffering three mini strokes. Clutching the WSOP tournament table to prevent officials from removing him late in the event, Clark added to his mysterious mystique and forever cemented his nickname in the annals of poker badass.

Lederer reportedly hates this nickname The Professor despite the fact that is it perhaps the most perfect on the list. His calculated studious approach to the game prompted folks to start calling him the Professor, a label his supposedly despises because he never went to college. He continues to help lead the poker world in its quest to get the online game regulated in America, more proof that Lederer is at the head of his class.

Chris Ferguson gets the most props in the poker world as a player who transcended his WSOP Main Event victory to become one of the best players of his generation, but El Matador, the 2000 Main Event champ, might lay a stronger claim. As the only person to win a WSOP Main Event and a World Poker Tour Championship, claiming Mortensen is one of the best tournament players to ever sit at the felt is no bull.

One year after Chris Moneymaker made poker a game celebrated around the world, Greg Raymer added to the momentum by wearing hologram sunglasses and protecting his card with fossils en route to another improbable win. Called the Fossilman for his affinity for the trinkets and his willingness to sell the items at the poker table, Raymer is dominant figure in the poker world and his nickname is one of those that will never be forgotten.

Thater became the first woman since 2004 to win an open WSOP bracelet event when she won a 2007 WSOP Razz event. She has taken the poker world by storm and become a bit of a celebrity, especially in her native Germany where she ranks among the best-known sports figures. Her nickname Miss Slick is a testament to her dominance of European Texas Holdem tournaments, but her skills go beyond Holdem and are apparent in other disciplines as well.

The story behind this nickname is that Harrington promoted the action tag to further his ability to deceive his opponents. This known rock is actually quite aggressive at the table, but his quiet, solid approach made the nickname Action the definition of irony, further hiding Harrington's very successful and aggressive strategies. Few are still fooled, especially after Harrington released his celebrated and complicated strategy books, but the simple nickname remains.

A Matrix-themed nickname may be more fitting for this computer nerd turned world class player, but his long-hair framed face and soft-spoken anger-free manner makes the comparison to Jesus, one of history's most famous figures too hard to ignore. He started wearing the long cloak, signature black hat and dark sunglasses to add to his rock-tight image, but his look is nothing short of a copyright worthy poker trademark.

There are other nicknames for the legendary Brunson, most notably the Grandfather of Poker, but Texas Dolly was a household nickname before poker was a household game. The undisputed king of the game has been compared to Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan, making his nickname's appearance on this list an absolute must.

An offensive and never stopping mouth can get you in trouble or even make you infamous. This is how Mike became known as The Mouth. Matusow has made millions at the poker table with his skill and was a walking billboard at the 2007 WSOP because he is easy fodder for ESPN cameras and one of the most recognizable names in the game. The railbirds line the ropes around his tournament tables hoping to hear and instant classic escape poker's most famous mouth.

His record alone in No Limit Texas Holdem tournaments would make Hellmuth world famous, but his brat-like table antics and immense self promotional skills make sure everyone knows who The Brat is. Even folks not familiar with poker know Hellmuth is a great player and great at freaking out on his lesser opponents. Norman Chad dubbed Hellmuth The Poker Brat and the countless fans who adore / hate Hellmuth ensure his nickname remains the number one item on this list.

This young poker player received his nickname BoostedJ based on his love of fast cars, and motorcycles. He has made quite a name for himself in the poker world since his third place finish at WSOP in 2009.

Also known as Amarillo Slim. Preston is one of the most well known holdem players to ever play the game. He received his nickname because of his physical appearance as a tall slim country boy from Amarillo Texas.

Phil Ivey is probably one of the most well known players of today. He has been given the nickname Tiger Woods of Poker for his skill and top position as a professional player.

Mike has done a lot to help popularize the game. He has commentated for the World Series Poker Tournaments on television and made great strides to show the world that poker is not just a game of chance but that it takes skills to win. For all of his hard work he has been dubbed The Ambassador of Poker.

Received his nickname Back to Back Flack after winning two consecutive Legends of Poker events in 1999, 2002, and 2003.

Steve is known by two nicknames Z which is from his last name and The Bald Eagle which he received due to his bald head.

Reese received his nickname Chip because he has the ability to win all the chips on a table when he plays.

Hoyt has several nicknames but is best known as Cowboy because he always wears a cowboy hat at the table. He has also been given Mr. Move All In by Phil Hellmuth and Nightmare from his aggressive style of play. He is a known to wear ear plugs when playing as to not be distracted by players such as Hellmuth who try to syke-out the other players.

Billy received his nickname The Croc after introducing himself as Crocodile Billy when playing against legend Johnny Moss while playing in a WSOP satellite event. Now he keeps his nickname fresh by wear crocodile shaped hats when he plays.

Todd is the son of poker great Doyle Brunson. He received his nickname Darkhorse early in his career. He was playing in an event that he was thought to be a huge underdog but ended the game the winner. He outlasted many players, even the great Chip Reese, to win.

His nickname The Devilfish was bestowed on him in 1997 by Stephen Au-Yeung. During the tournament Ulliott reduced Nguyen's stack to one chip, and the tournament director insisted upon still taking a one-hour scheduled break, over Nguyen's protests. Ulliott turned to Nguyen and said, We're taking the break, and in all fairness to you, I think you should go upstairs and think about your tactics. Ulliott went on to win, and the headlines the next day read, Devilfish devours the Master.

Otherwise known as The Iceman for his calm demeanor at the table.

Received his nickname Numbers for his playing style. He plays a very calculated game.

Received his nickname The Owl from Doyle Brunson for his ability to read everyone's cards and his thick glasses.

Because of his flashy clothes and jewelry and his fancy style of play Scotty was given the nickname The Prince of Poker

Has had three nicknames bestowed on him The Suicide King, The Hitman, and Spooky, for his unconventional style of play.

Barry has become known in the poker world as The Robin Hood of Poker. He was given this nickname after donating all of his tournament winnings to charity. He has continued to donate his winnings to charity every year since 2006.

Jerry was given his nickname The Shadow by fellow players because they said he was like their shadow. He would follow them where ever they went.

Has to be one of the most easily recognized players in the game. Wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and blacked out sunglasses at the table gave him the infamous nickname of The Unabomber. Looks like murderer Ted Kaczynski when he wears a gray sweat jacket zipped all the way up, with the hood over his head, and sunglasses hiding his eyes.

One of the most famous poker players of all time is better known as Stuey. Later in his life after being gone from the poker scene for a while he was dubbed The Comeback Kid in 1997. Broke and in debt Ungar received the $10,000 buy in from fellow player Billy Baxter and went on to win the main event at WSOP.

Also known as durrr from his online poker name has been a fast rising start on the poker circuit. He has a career estimated tournament winnings around 1.4 million dollars.

One of the pioneers of the sport Nick Dandolos better known as Nick the Greek played poker until his death in 1966. It is said that he played against Johnny Moss and said one of the best known poker quotes of all time Mr. Moss, I have to let you go. This game is said to be the start of what is now WSOP.

Nicknamed the Orient Express, Chan is only one of three players to win the WSOP back to back, a feat that may never be done again.

AKA the Paul Bunyon of Poker, this ex professional athlete turned poker player has had great success at the tables.

Gave himself the nickname The Grinder to signify his determination and competitive spirit on the felt, he's had tremendous success on the World Poker Tour.