Who Is the Poker GOAT of the Modern Era? Negreanu, Ivey, Mizrachi… or Someone New?

Poker has never lacked heroes. From the smoke-filled rooms of Binion’s Horseshoe to the million-dollar buy-ins of Las Vegas ballrooms, every generation has crowned its own “Greatest of All Time.” But when Daniel Negreanu posed a deceptively simple question —

Who is the poker GOAT of the modern era? — it sent shockwaves through the poker community.

Nearly 350,000 views, 250 replies, and countless heated debates later, the court of public opinion had spoken. Yet the answer isn’t nearly as simple as the vote count suggests.

---

The Ghost of Chip Reese

To understand the debate, you have to go back to where it started: with Chip Reese. Doyle Brunson himself once declared him “without a doubt the best poker player that ever lived.” Reese, who was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at just 40, epitomized the golden age of poker — a man whose instincts were sharper than any solver and whose calm command of a room full of killers was legendary.

Negreanu, who knew Reese well, echoed the reverence: “Chip Reese was unanimously regarded as the GOAT of his era. If you factor in the lack of tools available to him compared to today, arguably the greatest poker mind to have ever lived.”

Reese’s passing in 2007 left a vacuum. And in that vacuum, one man stepped forward as the new king.

---

The Rise of Phil Ivey

When Chip Reese died, the torch passed — not formally, but spiritually — to Phil Ivey. Known simply as “The Tiger Woods of Poker,” Ivey dominated every format. Online poker? He crushed the toughest lineups. Live tournaments? Ten WSOP bracelets. Cash games? The highest stakes in the world, from Vegas to Macau. Mixed games? He excelled in every variant, every night.

For a time, there was no debate. Ivey wasn’t just the best — he was untouchable. His aura was so fearsome that opponents often claimed to feel “played” even when he folded a hand.

So why, then, in 2025, are people daring to ask if the GOAT crown still belongs to him?

---

The Question That Shook the Poker World

Negreanu’s post wasn’t a dig at Ivey. In fact, it was the opposite — a tribute. But his phrasing made waves. He asked who the GOAT of

this era is, noting that comparing across decades is nearly impossible.

“When Michael Jordan is asked who the GOAT NBA player is, he says it’s unfair to compare eras,” Negreanu wrote. “Bobby Fischer said the same about chess. Chip Reese was the GOAT of his era. When he passed, that torch went to Phil Ivey. Who holds it now?”

The thread lit up like wildfire. Some took offense at the past tense: “Has Ivey retired?” one fan asked. No — Ivey is still active, but these days he mostly plays private games, far from the spotlight.

And in an era where public visibility often determines legacy, that absence matters.

---

The Challenger Voices

Jesse Lonis: The Self-Proclaimed GOAT

One of the boldest replies came from Jesse Lonis, who didn’t hesitate to crown himself. Ranked #1 in the world, Lonis declared:

“I’ve dominated every buy-in and all field sizes. The only reason I’m not in the biggest cash games is because they’re private and political.”

Lonis even invoked Cristiano Ronaldo: “If you don’t believe you’re the best, you will never achieve all that you are capable of.”

It was a gutsy statement — one that earned him headlines, but only two actual votes.

Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi

With four WSOP bracelets, two Poker Players Championship titles, and a reputation as one of the most fearless competitors alive, Mizrachi came in strong with 12 votes. Few embody the word “grinder” more. For many, his mix of resilience and flair makes him the closest heir to Ivey’s throne.

Jesse Lonis: The self-proclaimed poker GOAT.

Daniel Negreanu Himself

Kid Poker wasn’t spared from the ballots either. With seven votes, Negreanu remains a fan favorite, beloved not just for his success but for his visibility and advocacy for the game. His ability to read souls at the table is still unmatched.

---

The Numbers Don’t Lie

When the dust settled, the tally was clear:

• Phil Ivey — 23 votes

• Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi — 12 votes

• Daniel Negreanu — 7 votes

• Phil Hellmuth — 5 votes

• Nick Schulman — 4 votes

• Stephen Chidwick — 2 votes

• Martin Kabrhel — 2 votes

• Jesse Lonis — 2 votes

Ivey still stands atop the mountain, even if some whisper that his crown shines less brightly than it once did.

Phil Ivey hasn't retired but is he still the poker GOAT?

---

Why the Debate Matters

Poker is more than cards and chips; it’s myth and memory, rivalry and respect. Every generation needs its icons, its giants to measure against. Negreanu’s question forced fans to reckon with something uncomfortable: greatness doesn’t last forever.

Chip Reese once seemed immortal at the table. Then Phil Ivey redefined the game for a new century. Now, with Ivey spending more time in private rooms than public ones, the stage feels open again.

Is Mizrachi the new GOAT? Could Lonis actually grow into the role he claims? Or will someone unexpected — perhaps a Chidwick or a Schulman — write the next chapter of poker history?

---

The Verdict

For now, the people have spoken. Phil Ivey remains the GOAT of the modern era. Twenty-three votes don’t just represent fandom; they represent respect for a legacy built across formats, continents, and decades.

But make no mistake: the throne is no longer untouchable. It wobbles. The whispers are louder. The challengers are hungrier.

And poker, as it always does, will find its next legend in the unlikeliest of moments.

Until then, the crown still rests on Phil Ivey’s head — a little heavier, perhaps, but still his to wear.