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Poker has always had its hot streaks. Right now, it’s heating up again. Last year’s World Series of Poker broke its entry record. Over 10,000 players paid $10,000 each to compete. That created a prize pool over $93 million.

The Main Event winner, Daniel Weinman, took home more than $12 million. But if you trace the roots of the boom back, many people still point to 2003. That’s when Chris Moneymaker, a guy from Tennessee with a regular job, won $2.5 million after qualifying online for $86.

TV broadcasts, fast internet, and unregulated websites helped the game catch on from there. It hit a wall after 2006 when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed. Then in 2011, the Department of Justice shut down PokerStars, Full Tilt, and a few others in what players still call “Black Friday.”

Online games dropped fast, but picked back up years later when more at-home options were available—especially during the pandemic. Over time, live poker regained steam. Across states, cash games and smaller circuits brought the regulars back. That includes Minnesota.

Here’s a look at the 10 most searched-for poker players based in Minnesota. The ranking is based on their pages’ view counts on The Hendon Mob database. That site tracks live tournament results. These stats were pulled as of March 2024.

#10 – Erick Wright

• Live Earnings: $728,253
• Best Score: $43,328
• Hometown: Shoreview
• Profile Views: 24,878

Wright has been grinding mid-stakes games for years. His biggest known run is just over $43K, but he’s stayed active. The page views suggest plenty of fans track his results.

#9 – John Morgan

• Live Earnings: $1,187,311
• Best Score: $168,100
• Hometown: Minneapolis
• Profile Views: 25,232

Morgan is more than a player. He’s also made serious business moves outside the tables. When he’s on the felt, his results back up his image. He’s had six-figure wins and made final tables at regional events.

#8 – Rajaee Wazwaz

• Live Earnings: $2,402,993
• Best Score: $358,346
• Hometown: Brooklyn Park
• Profile Views: 25,263

Wazwaz has played for decades and made results stick. With several tournament wins and deep finishes, his online searches are no surprise. He’s well known on the Midwestern circuit and handles himself well against tough fields.

#7 – Aaron Johnson

• Live Earnings: $1,487,418
• Best Score: $96,787
• Hometown: Red Wing
• Profile Views: 27,797

Johnson had a strong run in the mid-2010s. He racked up consistent scores in tour stops and climbed rankings fast. Most of his winnings came from well-structured mid-level tournaments, where he’s clearly comfortable.

Side Hustles, Satellites, and Second Jobs

Minnesota players come from all walks of life. Some are longtime grinders like Kou Vang, while others, like Erick Wright, slowly climbed the ranks between everyday jobs. Many have used small online qualifiers or local tournaments as a springboard to bigger events.

Satellite tournaments and home games have quietly fueled poker, especially for those without deep bankrolls. Players like Chris Moneymaker famously turned an $86 entry into $2.5 million. In similar fashion, several Minnesota pros worked their way up by piecing together smaller wins, traveling to regional stops, and studying the game behind the scenes.

#6 – Danielle Andersen

• Live Earnings: $128,700
• Best Score: $38,240
• Hometown: New Ulm
• Profile Views: 29,744

Andersen gained most of her attention through content. She’s appeared in poker documentaries and YouTube series. While her cash total is lower than others on the list, her page views show she’s drawn interest for more than just results at the table.

#5 – Jason Senti

• Live Earnings: $1,611,113
• Best Score: $1,356,720
• Hometown: St. Louis Park
• Profile Views: 31,078

Senti made a deep run in the 2010 WSOP Main Event. That finish earned him over $1.3 million and a big fan following. Since then, he’s remained in poker but stepped back from the spotlight. Still, many fans keep checking in to see what he’s doing now.

#4 – Lyle Berman

• Live Earnings: $2,741,240
• Best Score: $444,000
• Hometown: Minneapolis
• Profile Views: 31,964

Berman isn’t only a tournament player. He’s been around high-stakes cash games going back decades. A businessman with a long poker history, he helped shape televised poker before most people knew what a hole card camera was.

#3 – Kou Vang

• Live Earnings: $2,578,470
• Best Score: $314,145
• Hometown: Saint Paul
• Profile Views: 32,264

Vang has been a regular at Midwest casino stops for more than 15 years. He’s had wins at multiple tour events and is known for building a solid local poker reputation. His career is made from consistency more than any single spotlight finish.

#2 – Kyle Keranen

• Live Earnings: $1,186,544
• Best Score: $559,835
• Hometown: Minneapolis
• Profile Views: 36,153

Keranen made a big name for himself at the World Series of Poker. He took a deep run in the 2012 Main Event and had several deep finishes in other bracelet events. He hasn’t played as many events lately, but poker followers still check in on him often.

#1 – Blake Bohn

• Live Earnings: $4,088,588
• Best Score: $288,171
• Hometown: Eden Prairie
• Profile Views: 59,402

Bohn leads this list by a wide margin. More than 59,000 checks on his profile show fans pay close attention to him. He’s been one of the most active Minnesota pros in large field tournaments in the last 10 years. While his biggest cash isn’t a headline-maker, he’s picked up hundreds of cashes across mainstream events.

Page views don’t always match total earnings, but they give a good look at who people follow out of curiosity, respect, or fandom. For Minnesota poker followers, these ten players have made enough of a mark to get searched again and again.

Poker may have its highs and lows, but steady grinders like these continue to show up, play sharp, and leave their mark quietly and consistently.

Gamble Responsibly. You must be 21 years old or older to gamble. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.