Bryn Kenney – How Poker's All-Time Money Leader Built His Fortune

Author: Tadas Peckaitis

Bryn Kenney is one of the most recognizable – and polarizing – figures in the world of high-stakes poker.

Known for his fearless playing style, sharp deal-making skills, and massive tournament results, Kenney holds the record for the highest live poker tournament earnings in history, with over $78 million to his name. His career is studded with headline-making wins, including the largest single payout ever awarded in a live event – an eye-popping $20.5 million from the 2019 Triton Million in London, despite officially finishing second.

Kenney’s dominance in high roller tournaments, from the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure to multiple Triton Series titles, has cemented his reputation as one of the game’s most successful modern-era pros. But his story isn’t without controversy. In 2022, he was accused of running a “cult-like” online poker stable involving ghosting and collusion – allegations he denied but which sparked one of the year’s biggest poker scandals.

Full Name

Bryn Kenney

Net Worth

$70 million

Source of Wealth

Professional poker player

Famous for

1st on the Poker All Time Money List

Born

November 1st, 1986, New York

Whether admired for his skill or scrutinized for the drama, the Bryn Kenney net worth and record-breaking success are a consequence of an unfiltered personality and a willingness to court risk both on and off the felt.

Bryn Kenney Highlights

Highlights

• Was a top-ranked Magic: The Gathering player, reaching #1 in the under-15 division
• Won his first and only WSOP bracelet in 2014 in the $1,500 10-Game Mix 6-Handed event
• Holds the record for most live tournament winnings in poker history, with over $78 million
• Won $20.5 million in the 2019 Triton Million, the biggest prize ever awarded in a live poker event
• Co-founded the online poker platform 4Poker in 2022
• Accused by Martin Zamani of running a collusion scheme
• Before turning 18, Kenney played online using an account in his mother’s name

Bryn Kenney Childhood

Bryn Kenney was born on November 1, 1986, and grew up in Long Beach, New York, as the oldest of five children.

From an early age, he showed an incredible knack for games that tested memory, focus, and strategy. As a teenager, Kenney became obsessed with Magic: The Gathering, a strategy trading card game. He didn’t just play casually – he dominated, even earning the title of #1 Magic player in the world for the under-15 division. This competitive fire and ability to think several moves ahead would later prove invaluable at the poker table.

By his mid-teens, he was already playing $20 sit-and-go’s with friends in his grandfather’s backyard.

At 17, before he could legally play online, he used an account under his mother’s name to sharpen his skills. Once he turned 18, he fully committed, playing long hours daily and treating poker like a profession. Kenney did try college briefly, but the classroom couldn’t compete with the thrill – and potential – of poker. With cautious encouragement from his family, he left school and went all-in on his dream.

That decision would eventually lead to the staggering career that poker fans know today.

Bryn Kenney’s Biggest Poker Wins

The Bryn Kenney poker journey is a story of relentless ambition and fearless decision-making.

Since his first live cash in 2007, he has built one of the most impressive resumes in tournament poker history. His early achievements hinted at greatness – like the deep run in the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event, where he finished 28th for $255,242, and his first WSOP bracelet in 2014 in the $1,500 10-Game Mix 6-Handed event. But Kenney’s true breakthrough came in the high-roller arena. In January 2016, he captured the PCA $100K Super High Roller for $1.68 million, defeating 2015 WSOP Main Event champion Joe McKeehen heads-up.

That year, he also won a $25K High Roller at Aria for $422,400 and reached the final table of the Super High Roller Bowl.

The momentum carried into 2017, with a $1.98 million win at the PokerStars Championship Monte Carlo €100K event and a $960,000 victory in one of the biggest poker tournaments worldwide – the inaugural Poker Masters. By 2018, Kenney was a feared force globally, scoring $1.48 million at the Super High Roller Bowl China.

Then came 2019 – a year that rewrote poker history.

Kenney won the Aussie Millions Main Event, scored $7.2 million across three Triton events in Montenegro, and delivered the crowning moment at the £1,050,000 Triton Million for Charity in London. Although officially second place, a heads-up deal secured him $20.5 million – the largest single payout in live poker history.

In 2023, Kenney won the Triton Poker $250K Luxon Invitational in London for $6.86 million, reclaiming the #1 spot on poker’s all-time money list with over $78 million in live earnings.

“If you have the mindset that things are working against you, they'll continue to go that way.”

Bryn Kenney

Bryn Kenney Controversy

Bryn Kenney’s career has been marked by some of the most talked-about moments in poker.

One of the most famous stories is the 2019 Triton Million, where Kenney officially finished second but negotiated a deal that gave him the largest single payout in poker history – $20.5 million. The fact that the runner-up took home more than the winner made headlines and showcased Kenney’s fearless deal-making skills.

Kenney has also been candid about wild bankroll swings.

In one interview, he revealed that he went from $3.5 million to $400,000 in debt in just six months, largely due to risky investments and unpaid loans. For many, this was a reminder that even the most successful players face the volatile realities of high-stakes poker – and Kenney’s rebound from it became part of his legend.

The most heated chapter came in 2022 with the Bryn Kenney scandal.

Former staked player Martin Zamani accused him of running a collusion and ghosting operation in online poker, with bizarre claims about strict vegan rules and shamanic rituals. While he denied any wrongdoing, leaked chat logs between high-stakes players added fuel to the Bryn Kenney controversy. No formal charges followed, but the debate over his ethics divided the poker community. Despite the noise, Kenney didn’t retreat. That same year, he became a co-founder and ambassador for 4Poker, an online poker site founded by former PokerStars executives.

For some, it was a bold move; for others, a curious one given the timing.

Bryn Kenney Net Worth

Kenney’s success at the tables has made him one of the most financially accomplished players in poker.

Exact numbers are hard to pin down, but Bryn Kenney net worth is undeniably in the multi-million-dollar range. With over $78 million in live tournament earnings (the highest total of any player as of 2025), Kenney’s results speak for themselves. However, net worth is not the same as gross winnings. Poker players often split action with backers, swap percentages with peers, and invest their profits back into buy-ins.

This means Kenney doesn’t personally keep every dollar he’s won.

Estimates vary widely. Online sources often rank him among the 10 richest poker players, citing a possible $72 million figure – likely factoring in both his winnings and business interests. Others suggest a more conservative $30–$40 million, reflecting the realities of taxes, staking, and the swings of high-stakes poker.

Kenney’s wealth comes from more than just playing.

He has been deeply involved in staking other players, acting almost like a venture capitalist in poker talent. This has added significant returns when his picks have succeeded. Beyond that, he’s invested in the industry itself – most notably as a co-founder of the online poker platform 4Poker.

Past sponsorships, including his time as a GGPoker ambassador, have also boosted his earnings.

Bryn Kenney Wife and Family

At 38, Kenney remains a bachelor, keeping his romantic life largely out of the spotlight.

For those curious about a potential Bryn Kenney wife, there hasn’t been one – though he was previously linked to Spanish poker pro Ana Márquez. Their relationship was well-known in poker circles, and Márquez often credited Kenney with helping elevate her game. The pair traveled the circuit together for a time, forming something of a poker “power couple”.

By 2024, however, they had gone their separate ways.

While he hasn’t started a family of his own, Kenney is deeply connected to the one he grew up with. As the oldest of five siblings, he often speaks fondly of his parents and brothers, crediting their support for keeping him grounded in the high-stakes world. His mother played a key role early on, encouraging his gaming talents and supporting his career once she saw his success.

Where Is Bryn Kenney Today?

As of 2025, Bryn Kenney is still a major force in the high-stakes world of poker, though his schedule is more selective than in his peak years.

He’s proven he can still close out massive events – winning the $250K Triton London in 2023 for $6.86 million and the €125K Triton Monte Carlo Main Event in 2024 for $4.41 million – keeping his #1 all-time money spot intact. These days, Kenney focuses on the biggest and most exciting tournaments: Triton Series stops, PokerGO Tour majors, and occasional WSOP high buy-ins.

He no longer grinds every event on the calendar, instead choosing games that fuel his motivation.

Away from the felt, Kenney plays a key role in 4Poker, the online site he co-founded in 2022. Acting as both ambassador and advisor, he’s helping shape its growth in a competitive market. His network and credibility in the high-stakes scene give the platform a unique edge. Home for Kenney is Los Angeles, California, though poker keeps him traveling globally. He’s known to extend trips for leisure, enjoying snowboarding and exploring new destinations. While he’s less publicly vocal about past controversies, his continued presence in top-tier events signals he’s focused on results, not drama.

In short, Bryn Kenney remains one of poker’s biggest names – balancing elite play, business ventures, and a lifestyle built around the game he’s mastered.