Tue, 01/25/2011 – 01:21 – PokerPages Staff

#5 – Brian Townsend
In stark contrast to his spectacular successes of 2009, when he won $2.4 million (he was one of the bigger money winners that year), the Santa Barbara pro had a dismal time of it in 2010.  He parted company with $1.5 million in just four months on his online ‘sbrugby’ account (June to October).

#4 – Gus Hansen
“The Great Dane” started 2010 well, stashing away $2.3 million in poker winnings in the first two months.  But by the summer, he’d lost $4 million.  It was the biggest cash hemorrhage of the year, but he managed a series of superb wins toward the end of 2010, leaving him “just” $1.6 million down.

#3 – ‘cadillac1944′
This player’s real name may not yet be publicly known, but his bruising poker losses in 2010 sure are.  He only opened his online account in August, but By December, he was $1.8 million down.

#2 – Ilari ‘Ziigmund’ Sahamies
High stakes poker pros expect plenty of rollercoaster rides in their careers, but famous young Fin found himself on one in 2010 which seemed to have more down-slopes than ups.  His income climbed to $2 million at the start of the year but plummeted over the summer by $2.6 million.  He clawed his way back to $1.48 million in profit, only to see it plunge down the toilet again, leaving him $2 million down.

#1 – Brian Townsend
Yup, Brian’s year was so dreadful he gets into the “top” five for this category twice.  We placed him number five for the losses on his “sbrugby” account – but those on his red pro “Brian Townsend” account were considerably worse.  By May, he’d lost $2.5 million.  Put both accounts together and he lost an eye-watering total of $4 million.  Let’s hope 2011 is kinder to him.