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Daniel Kelly is a highly skilled professional poker player from the United States who became a legend of the game before he was even old enough to enter a casino. Known by his famous online name “djk123,” he was an absolute phenom in the online poker world, winning millions of dollars while still in school. Once he turned 21, he quickly proved that his skills worked just as well in person. With two World Series of Poker bracelets and a reputation for being one of the most well-rounded players in the world, the Maryland native has earned the respect of the best pros in the business.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Daniel Kelly has total live earnings of nearly $3.65 million. He is currently ranked inside the top 10 on the Maryland All Time Money List. His biggest live win came in 2010 when he was just 21 years old. He won WSOP Event #52: $25,000 No Limit Hold’em Six Handed, which is one of the toughest tournaments on the schedule. He beat a field of world class players to take home a massive $1,315,518 and his first gold bracelet.
In 2014, Kelly added a second piece of hardware to his collection by winning the $1,500 Limit Hold’em event for $195,167. He has also had huge success in other major series, including a 3rd place finish at the 2012 WPT L.A. Poker Classic for $521,770 and a 4th place run in the 2013 WSOP Millionaire Maker for $302,104. Even into 2025, Kelly has remained active, adding more cashes to his long resume at events like the Borgata Winter Poker Open and the latest WSOP series in Las Vegas.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1989 and raised in Potomac, Maryland, Daniel Kelly was a math whiz who found poker during high school. He started playing online and was so good that he had already made over $1 million before he even started university at Villanova. While most students were worried about exams, Kelly was becoming the top online tournament earner in the world. He eventually graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2011, but by then, he was already a multi-millionaire from poker. He is widely known as one of the best online players ever, having won a record setting five WCOOP titles on PokerStars.
Play Style & Strategy
Kelly is known for his loose aggressive style and his incredible ability to play almost any variation of poker. While many young players only know how to play No Limit Hold’em, Daniel is an expert in “Mixed Games,” which includes things like Razz, Stud, and H.O.R.S.E. This versatility makes him very hard to play against because he understands the math and strategy of every game better than most. Other professionals have described him as one of the most “thoughtful” players at the table. He doesn’t talk much while playing, instead choosing to focus intensely on his opponents’ mistakes. His calm and quiet nature hides a very competitive drive that has kept him at the top of the poker world for over 15 years.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to see what Daniel Kelly is up to as he continues to add to his legacy in 2026? You can follow his career and see his latest results through these links:
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