In chapter 17 of Ace on the River, Barry Greenstein challenges the idea that there is a single “best” poker player and explains why consistency, adaptability, and self-management matter far more than ego or reputation.
Why Everyone Thinks They Are the Best
Greenstein begins by observing that most regulars believe they are the strongest player in their game. They judge themselves by moments when they are playing well and by the particular skills they value most. But this self-image ignores the most revealing test of skill: how someone behaves and decides when things are going badly.
Adversity Reveals True Skill
The real measure of a player is not how he performs while winning, but how he responds during losing streaks. Emotional control, discipline, and decision-making under stress are what separate great players from average ones.
Following the Money
Tournament success alone does not define greatness. Greenstein points out that if tournament stars were truly the best, they would dominate the highest-stakes cash games, where the most money is won and lost. Many do not. Money won over time in difficult games is a better indicator than trophies.
Why Even Top Players Aren’t “The Best”
Greenstein includes himself in the critique. Everyone, including elite professionals, makes poor decisions and falls into traps. Being great at poker does not mean being flawless—it means being less wrong, less often, and recovering better when mistakes happen.
Skill Is More Than Winning Big Pots
Poker involves thousands of decisions beyond betting and folding: choosing which games to enter, managing energy, avoiding bad situations, and handling money. Some of these decisions matter far more than others, yet they are hard to measure. The best players simply make better choices more often, not perfect ones.
Styles, Formats, and Matchups Matter
No player dominates all forms of poker or all opponents. Some thrive in tournaments but struggle in deep-stack cash games. Others excel in certain betting structures or table sizes. Just as in sports, one player may outperform another but lose to a third because of stylistic differences.
Being “Slightly Better” Doesn’t Matter
Greenstein argues that tiny differences in skill between top players are irrelevant for making money. Real profits come from having a large edge over weaker players, not from being marginally superior to other elite professionals.
Ego vs. Profit
Wanting to be called the best is usually about ego, not income. Chasing that label leads players to bad games, bad risks, and unnecessary stress. Successful professionals focus on playing well and managing their careers, not on proving superiority.
The Final Answer
Greenstein concludes that there is no single best poker player. Everyone has off days, blind spots, and weaknesses. The right goal is not to be the best, but to play solidly, choose good situations, and manage oneself wisely over the long run.