I was listening to the Chris Moneymaker interview on the Bernard Lee Poker Show recently, and he was posed an interesting question by Bernard. Who are the big 4 of poker?

That got me to thinking about who my big 4 would be. Of course, the criteria can vary as poker has evolved and will continue to evolve over time, so this list will be very fluid. But, for now, I will base it on what I know about poker history.

In no particular order:

Doyle Brunson - You can give a BIG assist here to Amarillo Slim, who won the 1972 WSOP Main Event. He was the one who went on the Johnny Carson Show and was the big celebrity of the 1970's. However, Slim wasn't able to parlay that into the latter years of his career. But as for Doyle, he enjoyed tremendous success at the WSOP, with 10 bracelets to his credit, and writing Super System 1 and 2, which to me, puts him ahead of Slim. He is widely respected today as the Godfather of Poker, though the younger generation likely doesn't hold him in the same standard as those a little bit older.

Chris Moneymaker - The perfect name for the perfect time in poker. With the advent of hole card cams, and the growth of online poker, and combine that with his name, he was the surprise winner of the 2003 WSOP Main Event. He continues to promote the game and conducts himself very well, and is still the same regular guy that you can sit down with and have a drink with and talk about anything. The rest, as they say, is history.

Daniel Negreanu - One of the more outspoken people in poker. He's not one to shy away from expressing his opinion about whatever he's being asked, and does not care whether you agree with him or not. He's a likable presence at the poker tables, and with plenty of WSOP moments over the years, continues to build an impressive career resume, and, with a Hall of Fame induction to his credit, doesn't have much left to accomplish, though a Main Event title would be at the very top of his list.
(Personal note) - I met him last year at the Daniel Summer Party in Toronto, and he's a good guy. He took the time to talk with me, and as we're both from Toronto, and the same age, got to talk about that a little bit.

Linda Johnson - The first woman of poker. She has been a prominent presence in the poker community for a long time. As a player, ambassador, and major presence on the World Poker Tour, she works tirelessly trying to encourage women to play the game. While progress has been slow on that front, it still is progress nonetheless, and more women are posting excellent results, and some major wins. So while the numbers aren't there, one could argue that there are more high-end female players now than ever before, and in time, we could see one of them at a WSOP Main Event Final Table, or winning a major WPT/EPT/Aussie Millions title. She is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame as well (very deservedly).

Stu Ungar-best NL player ever.
Doyle Brunson-because you know he is Doyle Brunson
Mike Sexton-face of broadcast poker, damn good player as well
Eric Seidel-long time crusher

Honorable Mention: Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey

Originally Posted by Two6JJ

Stu Ungar-best NL player ever.

I thought about Stuey, but as great as he was, there's too much "What could have been" with him.

Originally Posted by Two6JJ

Doyle Brunson-because you know he is Doyle Brunson
Mike Sexton-face of broadcast poker, damn good player as well
Eric Seidel-long time crusher

Honorable Mention: Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey

I think I'd have Mike Sexton ahead of Stuey based on his visibility within the game, along with, as you said, being a really good player. I can't really argue Erik Seidel's inclusion here because he's one of the rare old school guys that are able to compete with today's "wizards" of the game. The only con with him is that he's a poker player first and foremost. Aside from his results, which are numerous, he hasn't really helped build the game in the same manner that Doyle has.

I like your honorable mentions, and I'd rank them in that order too.

I think we can all agree that Doyle Brunson belongs there, as for the other three I would put Chip Reese, Phil Ivey and Stu Ungar. I based my picks on the guys who were sharks in all forms of poker and had wide success in all poker games. Doyle himself said he considers Chip Reese the best all around poker player, and considered Ivey the best player of the new generation. Now try to visualize my picks as Mount Rushmore, Doyle with his cowboy hat on, Phil Ivey with his open mouth blank stare, Chip Reese with his puffy hair, and Stu Ungar wearing those circular shades from the 1997 world series. I think it would definitely be an interesting visual lol! I agree that Stu definitely could of been bigger than he was, but theres no denying the success he had in his days, It's unfortunate the way he handled his personal life because he had so much talent.

As I am Brazilian, the more I follow the championships of my parents, but it is impossible to talk about poker without citing Doyle Brunson, who for me is untouchable by conquistaas has already achieved, but we have renowned athletes in the domestic sector the main one in my point of view is Andre Akkari, who has won a stage of the World Series of Poker and without doubt the most technical of all Brazilian players currently have another guy who I admire is the Pessagno the two are the Pokerstars team and is doing a great job.

Ungar, Hellmuth, Brunson, Negraneau.

I'm gonna go with Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Stu Ungar... i'm old school. May have to throw Johnny Moss in there too. All legends.

I do not know if you've noticed but Doyle Brunson is the list of everyone who commented aki literally an athlete who never go out of the history of world poker.

I'm glad to see a non-American response (including Andre Akkari). There's no denying the impact he's made on Brazilian poker. It's great for the game and in that part of the world, that's one person that deserves this title. Another similar one would be for Norwegian players, in Thor Hansen. He's considered the Godfather of Norwegian poker.

That's the great part of this, one's answer is influenced by where in the world they are. But it's funny to see that Doyle is on most lists.

As for Stuey, it really was too bad that his demons got the best of him because it would have been interesting to see how he would have fared against today's players. Heck, even against the crop of up and coming players in the 2007-2011 range.

Amarillo Slim, Doyle Brunson, Wild Bill Hickock, Benny Binion

wow what a great question, and many great answers. I'd like to think 15 to 20 years from now my name could be mentioned...ummm( A mans dream has to start somewhere...LOL)

At first glance I went with: Doyle Brunson,Amarillo Slim, Chip Reese,Stu Ungar

The more I thought though, it became apparent that it all depended on what I was trying to represent...and that's the million dollar question, so in the end I went with

Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu

I was intrigued by many of the names mentioned, and they're all valid choices. I really liked mediablitz inclusion of Wild Bill Hickock... so I'm throwing Doc Holliday in as well, since when it came to cards they both had that "killer instinct" and a showdown on the river could've went either way.

which Mountain would you carve out?.....Dwan's debt mountain !

Amarillo Slim, Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu

My criteria is fame/visibility, contributions to grow the game, and a distant 3rd would be skill.