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    Famous Poker Players Who Went Broke

    Poker can make you rich and take it all away. This list covers famous poker players who went broke, including some of the most talented players who ever lived.

    5 players10 WSOP bracelets combinedUpdated November 2026

    Famous Poker Players Who Went Broke: the ranking

    Ranking: Players whose biography documents going broke, bankruptcy or losing their fortune. Each entry is checked by an editor.

    1. Erick Lindgren

      United States

      "E-Dog" - 2008 WSOP Player of the Year Whose Career Ended in a Full Tilt Poker Scandal

      Also in:United States playersMost tournament wins2000s
      Earnings
      $10.8M
      Bracelets
      2
      Age
      49

    2. Dan Heimiller

      United States

      Three-Time WSOP Bracelet Winner Who Rebuilt His Bankroll From Scratch a Dozen Times Over

      Also in:United States playersOlder players2000s
      Earnings
      $8M
      Bracelets
      3
      Age
      64

    3. Aram Zobian

      United States

      The Comeback Kid of High-Stakes Poker

      Also in:United States playersYoung playersOnline
      Earnings
      $7.7M
      Bracelets
      0
      Age
      31

    4. Stu Ungar

      United StatesDeceased

      "The Kid" — Three-Time WSOP Main Event Champion Widely Considered the Greatest Card Player Ever

      Also in:United States playersWho died1980s
      Earnings
      $3.6M
      Bracelets
      5
      Age
      45

    5. Archie Karas

      United StatesDeceased

      "The Greek" — Legend of the Greatest Winning Streak in Casino History

      Also in:United States playersIn jailCheating scandals
      Earnings
      $10K
      Bracelets
      0
      Age
      73

    About this list

    Erick Lindgren leads this list with $10.8M in live earnings, 2 WSOP bracelets. Dan Heimiller and Aram Zobian complete the top three. Together, the 5 players on this list have won 10 WSOP bracelets and $30.1M in live tournament earnings.

    Bankroll management is one of the first lessons in poker, and one of the hardest to follow. Big egos, side bets, casino games and bad investments have ruined more poker fortunes than bad beats ever did. Stu Ungar won millions and died with no assets; others rebuilt their careers after going broke.

    How this list is built

    Players whose biography documents going broke, bankruptcy or losing their fortune. Each entry is checked by an editor. Each player can appear on several lists at once; the chips under each name link to the other lists they belong to. Data is updated November 2026.

    Related lists

    Famous Poker Players Who Cheated 4Famous Poker Players in Jail 2Famous Poker Players Who Quit 8Famous Poker Players Who Died 7Highest Earning Poker Players of All Time 50Poker Players With Most Bracelets 30Best Poker Players of All Time 30

    FAQ about famous poker players who went broke

    Who is number one on our list of famous poker players who went broke?

    Erick Lindgren ranks first by live earnings, with $10.8M in live earnings, 2 WSOP bracelets. "E-Dog" - 2008 WSOP Player of the Year Whose Career Ended in a Full Tilt Poker Scandal.

    How many players are on this list?

    The list includes 5 players from our database of 412 profiles. It updates automatically when a player who matches the criteria is added.

    Who has won the most WSOP bracelets on this list?

    Stu Ungar, with 5 WSOP bracelets.

    Who is the youngest player on this list?

    Aram Zobian, aged 31.