Beyond a doubt millions and millions of players strive to be the next "big thing" in poker, but here is a short list of 4 of the more well known "great guys" of the game. Although "nice" is associated with their names when you are at a poker table it is "no more Mr. Nice guy" until they have removed you out of the competition!
Daniel Negreanu
In Two Thousand and Four, his competition payouts amounted to in the region of 4.4 million dollars and he came away with two immensely admired awards in the WSOP Player of the Year and Cardplayer Magazine’s Competition Player of the Year. In Feb 2006 he was appointed Card Player’s Favourite Poker Player. Daniel still has the decency to talk with his fans about how they could improve their own game.
Howard Lederer
Known as "The Professor" and brother of fellow poker pro Annie Duke. His success has lead to him making an educational video named "Secrets of No Limit Hold’em" and also hosting a tournament poker show for Fox. As of Two Thousand and Five, his total life time winnings surpass $2.7 million.
Scotty Nguyen
Scott is 1 of the busiest players in professional poker and between 2000 to Two Thousand and Four he placed in the money in more than one hundred events. He’s noted for saying "yeah baby" throughout poker games and also coined the phrase "that’s poker baby" when alluding to a exceptionally bad beat. As of Two Thousand and Six, his life time earnings are almost six million dollars.
Chris Ferguson
Chris has won five WSOP titles with 2 of his wins coming in Two Thousand and Three. Has the alias "Jesus" because of his characteristic long hair and beard, that, and along with his ability to toss cards fast enough to slice through bananas and pickles. As of 2005 his total poker tourney earnings exceeded five million dollars.