Famous Female Poker Players Worldwide

Article by : Divya Gandotra Sep 25, 2023

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Updated: Feb 13, 2024

Poker is no longer just “for men” as it used to be. I think this is a good trend, as millions of men and women worldwide are now participating in poker as a hobby—successful female players who have shown that they can play and their male counterparts are driving change. Along with breaking down prejudices, these women have found success in poker by showcasing their exceptional talents and abilities. Today, I want to tell you about the top female poker players who conquered this sport.

By What Criteria did I Choose the Players?

The performance of selected players in important poker events is one of my main selection criteria. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) give more weight to players who have won major tournaments. It includes competitors such as Maria Ho, who has won two WSOP bracelets, and Vanessa Selbst, who has won one WPT Championship and three WSOP bracelets.

A player’s contribution to the poker community is another critical factor. It includes their involvement in charity work, public speaking, and gaming-related influence. For example, Jennifer Tilly is a well-known actress who has promoted the game through her roles in popular films, while Liv Bory is well known for her work with the charity Raising for Effective Giving (REG).

The final factor is each player’s overall impact on the poker community. It covers their effect on the industry, their standing among fans and peers, and their longevity. Annie Duke, for instance, has been a well-known name in the poker industry for over two decades, commanding the respect of her peers.

Top female poker players

Let’s look at the list of women who could win truly enviable sums and immortalize their names in the world history of poker.

1. Joan Liu — $3,320,000

She is one of the greatest poker players ever. She placed third in the APT, took first place in the 2006 WPT, and earned six-figure payouts in other events. Joan began to participate in essential poker tournaments. WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars became the place of the greatest triumph. The payment amounted to more than 600 thousand dollars. In total, Liu won over $3,300,000.

2. Vanessa Russo — $3,554,328

When Russo finished fifth in the $1,590 NLH at the WSOP Circuit in Atlantic City in 2006, her poker career officially began, blowing us all away. On the women’s side, Vanessa is the youngest WSOP final table. She has competed in two World Poker Tour final tables, 17 World Series of Poker finals, numerous six-figure wins, and countless episodes of Poker After Dark. The highest result was a €25,500 first-place finish at the 2009 EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final, earning $700,160.

3. Vanessa Selbst — $11,898,565

Selbst has intermittent poker skills. She won her first live cash game after finishing seventh in the $2,000 NLH at the WSOP in 2006. In 2010, at the Cannes PPT, the top prize was $1.8 million. Selbst has won three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and over $11 million in live events. Both men and women worldwide praise her for her aggressive play style and strategic skills.

4. Annette Obrestad — $3,942,233

At the age of 15, she started participating in online freerolls. By 2006, she earned about $1 million. Then, the woman decided it was time to try offline games. And for good reason: she won the WSOP tournament in October 2007 and took home just under $2 million. This victory is half of what Annette achieved in real meetings. Now, she is trying her profession as a beauty blogger on YouTube after finishing her poker career.

5. Kristen Foxen — $6,697,202

Kristen started playing poker in her first year of college, but it took her seven years to make her first big win. This is a long time of work and effort. In the Women’s Special Event in 2013, she took home her first of three WSOP bracelets for $173,922. 2018 and 2019 have been the pinnacle of Kristen Foxen’s career. She received two GPI ratings, recognizing her as the best female poker player. Seven of his ten wins over $200,000 have come in that time frame, including the biggest win of her career ($408,000) from a $25,000 high-roller event at the Poker Masters Series.

6. Maria Ho — $3,900,000

Maria initially played Limit Hold ’em for relatively modest amounts but quickly rose to a higher level and began her ascent to Olympus. As the last woman standing, she won $237,865 at the 2007 WSOP, kicking off her career. She continued to play and repeated it three more times, breaking the previous record.

7. Liv Bory — $3,852,996

For the first time, the woman encountered poker in 2005 while participating in a reality program. Her real success came from the game that captivated her. Liv has won $3.8 million in prize money, with her most significant win coming at the EPT in April 2010 for $1.7 million. Liv doesn’t play often anymore. She is actively engaged in humanitarian activities and science popularization on her YouTube channel.

The Influence of Successful Female Poker Players

The diversity of female poker players worldwide represents the game’s popularity and global appeal. Women from different countries and cultures have significantly contributed to the poker community, showcasing their skills and knowledge worldwide. In addition to women enriching the poker scene, I am confident that this diversity helps break down gender bias and barriers in a predominantly male industry.

It is impossible to overstate these and other poker players’ impact on poker communities worldwide. Their achievements disproved gender bias and showed that success in sports can be achieved regardless of gender. They have inspired more women to play poker by showcasing their talents and successes, creating a more diverse and welcoming community.

Sources:

1. Women in Poker Hall of Fame