Top 10 Rising Stars in Online Poker

Online poker has always been more than just a game — it’s the breeding ground for the next generation of poker greats. Unlike the early 2000s boom, when TV exposure created instant stars, today’s rising pros often cut their teeth in online tournaments, digital training platforms, and tight‑knit study communities. Places like Run It Once, Pokercode, and Upswing Poker have become the modern‑day poker universities, producing players who are more technically sharp, battle‑tested, and fearless.

And they’re not just coming from the old power hubs of Las Vegas or London. Today’s poker heroes are just as likely to come from Vienna, São Paulo, or Melbourne as they are from Atlantic City. Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Brazil, and Australia all have fresh talent that’s already shaking up high‑roller events.

If you want to keep up with the biggest tournaments, bonuses, and rising poker talent, VIP-Grinders is one of the best places to follow the latest action and get exclusive deals tailored for grinders at every level.

For this list, we’re spotlighting 10 of the most exciting players making waves online and transitioning to live events in a big way. These players have each flashed serious tournament results, consistent online dominance, or both — and they could be the household names you’ll be hearing about for years to come.

1. Landon Tice (USA)

Landon Tice has quickly become the poster child for fearless young American grinders. After making his name crushing online cash games, he’s now gaining respect in high‑roller circles. In 2025 alone, he bagged a $3,000 event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, scored a six‑figure payout finishing fourth in a $25K WSOP six‑max, and added a U.S. Poker Open podium finish. With nearly $4 million in live earnings before hitting 30, plus his role as a coach at the Solve For Why Academy, he’s set to be one of the defining players of his generation.

2. Samuel Mullur (Austria)

At just 26, Samuel Mullur has already put himself on poker’s global radar. A product of Fedor Holz’s Pokercode stable, Mullur kicked off 2025 by winning the €50K Super High Roller in the Bahamas, earning over €2.5 million. He followed up with a Triton Series runner‑up worth nearly €1 million. With a fearless approach and the mentorship of one of poker’s greats, Mullur looks poised for a bracelet hunt and possible GPI Player of the Year contention.

3. Tom Fuchs (Germany)

Germany keeps churning out killers in the poker world, and Tom Fuchs might be the country’s next big superstar. A Pokercode protégé, Fuchs ended 2024 with a WSOP Paradise $50K win for $1.29 million. Add that to deep Triton finishes, and it’s clear he’s got what it takes to perform on the biggest stages. Known for his disciplined approach and intense preparation, Fuchs is one of those players you’ll see regularly mixing it up with the toughest names in the game.

4. Fabian “Taurus” Niederreiter (Austria)

From playing penny‑stakes as a teenager to competing in high rollers at just 23, Fabian “Taurus” Niederreiter is living the dream. Another Pokercode standout, his online performances — bolstered by Twitch streams and strategy talks — have set him up for live success. Fans love his openness in discussing hands, and opponents have come to fear his adaptable, cerebral playing style. Expect Fabian’s name to pop up often at future final tables.

5. Ari Engel (Canada/USA)

If you think Ari Engel is too seasoned to belong on a “rising stars” list, think again. Even with more than a decade of grinding under his belt, Engel is peaking in the online arena. In 2024, he extended his own WSOP Circuit record with his 17th and 18th career rings — both in online events. His dominance across multiple states shows that, while he’s a veteran, his game is sharper than ever.

6. Corey Paggeot (USA)

Known to online railbirds as “Corgasm,” Corey Paggeot has turned the WSOP.com circuit into his personal playground. With five WSOP rings since 2022, he’s proven himself as one of the most dangerous online players in the U.S. His game truly shines in freezeout and turbo formats, where decision‑making matters most. If he can bring that same sharpness to live tournament series, expect him to join the mainstream poker conversation soon.

7. Daniel Buzgon (USA)

A grinder’s grinder, New Jersey’s Daniel Buzgon continues to rack up WSOP circuit rings, with nine to his name — seven won online. He might be in his late 30s, but don’t mistake him for being “past his prime.” In fact, Buzgon’s online consistency makes him one of the most dangerous players still pushing upward. He’s the definition of perseverance in poker, and with momentum on his side, live titles could be the next milestone.

8. Blaž “Scarmak3r” Žerjav (Slovenia)

Slovenia may not be a traditional poker hotbed, but Blaž Žerjav is changing that narrative. Known online as “Scarmak3r,” he’s risen all the way from micro‑stakes grinders to battling in nose‑bleed cash games. His creativity in high‑pressure situations, fueled by audacious bluffs and value bets, makes him unpredictable and dangerous. With live poker roaring back, expect “Scarmak3r” to deliver breakout performances soon.

9. Lynne Ji (USA)

A familiar face to fans of streamed poker shows, Lynne Ji has built a reputation as one of the most confident and aggressive players on the cash‑game scene. From High Stakes Poker to Live at the Bike, Ji has showcased her fearless style and won plenty of admirers. With her media presence and growing tournament experience, she’s one of the players best positioned to translate star power into deep runs at major series.

10. Daniel Neilson (Australia)

Australia’s Global Poker Index leader, Daniel Neilson, closes out our list. A force in both national and international circuits, Neilson enters 2025 with high expectations — particularly heading into the Aussie Millions. Known for his methodical and strategically sound game, he has been consistently running deep. The question now is whether he can turn those close calls into a marquee title, which would cement him as Australia’s newest poker icon.