Literally huge amounts of people want to be the next "mega star" in poker, but here is a short list of four of the more noteworthy "great guys" of the game. Granted "nice" is connected with their names when you are sitting accross the table from them it is "no more Mr. Nice guy" until they have put you out of the game!
Daniel Negreanu
In 2004, his tourney payouts amounted to in excess of 4.4 million dollars and he captured 2 immensely admired awards in the World Series of Poker Player of the Year and Cardplayer Magazine’s Tourney Player of the Year. In February Two Thousand and Six he was named Card Player’s Preferred Poker Player. He even still has the humility to talk with his fans about how they might advance their own game.
Howard Lederer
Referred to as "The Professor" and brother of fellow poker pro Annie Duke. His accomplishments have lead to him making an instructional video named "Secrets of No Limit Hold’em" and co hosting a tournament poker show for Fox. As of Two Thousand and Five, his complete life earnings surpass 2.7 million dollars.
Scotty Nguyen
Scott is 1 of the busiest players in professional poker and between 2000 and 2004 he finished in the money in well over one hundred events. He is noted for saying "yeah baby" during poker games and also coined the term "that’s poker baby" when alluding to a particularly bad loss. As of Two Thousand and Six, his life time winnings are just about six million dollars.
Chris Ferguson
Chris has won five WSOP titles with 2 of his successes happening in 2003. Has the nickname "Jesus" due to his characteristic long hair and beard, and is able to throw playing cards quick enough to slice through bananas and pickles. As of 2005 his total poker tournament earnings exceeded five million dollars.