The latest guest on David Tuchman’s 888Ride is none other than Maria Ho — a professional poker player and renowned TV host/commentator. Throughout her live tournament career, she has amassed over $5.5 million in earnings. Her biggest achievement came at the 2011 WSOP, where she finished 2nd in a $5,000 NLH event, earning $540,020. Over time, she has cemented her place as one of the most successful women on the circuit — with over 80 WSOP cashes and multiple final tables, including a WPT title.
“I’m most proud that I’m still here,” she responds without hesitation to one of David's first questions. She doesn't focus on a specific tournament or trophy. In a game where many names burn out fast, Maria views endurance as her greatest achievement. Every year, she strives to be better than the last — not necessarily richer or more famous, but a better player and a more mature person.
When Passion Becomes Profession
Maria openly admits that the more you know, the clearer it becomes how much you don’t know. Over her career, there have been plenty of moments when she realized her own limits. However, these moments pushed her further. It wasn’t the wins, but rather the confrontations with players who “unlocked something she didn’t have at that moment.”
She also talks about how the relationship with poker evolves when passion turns into a profession. She used to play through the nights just for the love of the game. Now, she’s tougher on herself, analyzing and assessing more. The love for the game hasn’t disappeared; it has simply transformed from carefree joy to a respect for the process.
Strict upbringing and introspection
A significant part of her worldview was shaped by a strict family environment. Her “Tiger mom” taught her discipline, while also building a strong rebellious streak. Poker became the first outlet for her competitiveness, a quality she couldn’t express elsewhere. This is why she has stayed in poker for so long.
Nowadays, she turns inward more often. There’s less chasing milestones and more thinking about balance. Less need to prove something to the world, more desire to be present for family, herself, and the things that hold long-term meaning. Poker hasn’t disappeared from her life, but it’s no longer the only axis around which everything revolves.
“Failure is nothing to fear,” she says. Poker taught her that mistakes are inevitable and that strength lies not in their absence, but in the ability to keep going despite them. Maybe that’s why Maria Ho seems more at peace today than ever. Not because she’s ticking off a checklist, but because she no longer has to chase anything. And in a game where success is often measured by paychecks, that’s perhaps the greatest luxury.
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Joe Cada in 888Ride: People said I was just lucky. But I knew I could play
Matt Berkey: High roller players may be twenty times better than me – but I still earn more
Daniel Negreanu: The more haters I have, the more I realize that I'm somebody
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