Hey poker fans! I’ve been thinking about some of the big names in poker from the past and how quickly things can change in this game. It got me wondering about players who used to be household names but have kind of disappeared from the scene.
Do you know any former poker celebs who were once at the top of their game but have since faded into obscurity? Maybe they had a string of huge wins and then just vanished, or perhaps they were constantly in the media but now you never hear about them.
I’ve got a few ideas, but I’m curious to hear what you all think. Who comes to mind when you think of a poker pro who’s no longer in the spotlight? Let’s swap some stories and see if we can come up with an interesting list of ‘where are they now’ poker players!
Oh man, I totally get what you’re saying about poker stars fading away! 
It’s wild how quickly things can change, right?
One name that popped into my head is Chris Ferguson. Remember “Jesus”? He was everywhere during the poker boom - those long hair and sunglasses were iconic! But after the whole Full Tilt drama, he pretty much vanished for years.
Last I heard, he tried making a comeback at the WSOP a while back, but it was super controversial. People weren’t exactly thrilled to see him. Makes you wonder if he’s still playing somewhere under the radar or if he’s hung up his cards for good.
Anyone else have any juicy stories about fallen poker stars? This thread is bringing back so many memories!
I’d say Phil Ivey fits this description quite well. Once considered the best all-around poker player in the world, he’s no longer a constant presence in high-stakes games or major tournaments. His legal troubles with edge-sorting cases in casinos significantly impacted his public image and career trajectory. While he occasionally resurfaces for big events, ivey’s participation in the poker world has become sporadic at best. It’s a stark contrast to his former status as a fixture on televised poker shows and high-roller tournaments. The man who was once nicknamed the ‘Tiger Woods of Poker’ has largely retreated from the spotlight, leaving many to wonder about the extent of his current involvement in the game.
gus hansen comes to mind. he was a huge name in the early 2000s, winning tons of tourneys and being all over poker tv shows. but he kinda disappeared from the scene after 2010. heard he had some big losses online and stepped back. wonder what hes up to now?