The Online Poker Action for 2010

After earning more than $8.9 million to earn the title as 2009's top earner, poker pro Patrik Antonius has been taking a sabbatical from online high-stakes poker circuit. It is unknown how long Antonius plans to take a break from the circuit but chances are that poker lovers will see Antonius back at the high-stakes poker tables sooner than later.

As of January 7th, 2010, Richard Ashby sits as the biggest online poker earner of the year so far with just more than $221,000. But in a virtual tie for 1st place is Brian Hastings with $220 in poker earnings. Hastings, who made $4.2 million in total winnings in a single session against Isildur1 near the end of 2009, could very well become one of the most successful online poker players in 2010 considering his most recent performance.

Just like last year, gus hansen started off 2010 well, having earned almost $160,000 since New Year's Eve. It would not be surprising to see Hansen try to add to his earnings while joining nose-bleed 7-Game poker table over the next few months.

The two more poker players to have earned more than $100,000 on the year are geoff7878 and Di "Urindanger" Dang. Topping the list as 2010's biggest loser is Andrew "Browndog19" Brown with almost $300,000 in total losses.

In 2nd place is a relatively unknown poker player named bixiu, who is down by $262,000. Other well-known players to make the top ten for most losses include Ilari "Ziigmund" Sahamies (-$107,000), Rafi "howisitfeellike" Amit (-$175,000), DIN_FRU (-$94,000), Cole South (-$78,000) and Eli Elezra (-$82,000).

With both Tom "durrrr" Dwan and phil ivey down in the Bahamas, it might be a few more days before any real online poker action takes place.

Michael Orwell