In this first part of our article, we bring you a selection of quotes from women who have made their mark in the poker world not just with their skills but also with their voices. From Maria Ho's sharp insights, the winner of the Game of Gold, to Liv Boeree's scientific perspective, Annie Duke's confident words, and the unwavering experience of Jen Harman. These women speak not only about the game but also about life at and beyond the table. Prepare for words as powerful as a royal flush.
Annie Duke: “Poker is a skill game pretending to be a game of chance.”
Annie Duke exemplifies that success in poker is rooted not just in luck but foremost in a sharp mind, the ability to read people, and making decisions under pressure. Her famous quote succinctly reveals the essence of a game often considered gambling, but in reality, a complex mental discipline. Duke emerged as a standout figure during the first wave of the poker boom, clinching her first, and so far only, World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004. Her victory in the Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better tournament not only affirmed her skills but also symbolized women's success in a predominantly male arena.
Despite later controversy tied to a scandal affecting the reputation of the Ultimate Bet team, Duke remains a model of strategic thinking and an analytical approach to the game. After retiring from professional poker, she shifted her focus to business and decision-making psychology, areas not so distant from poker. She's the author of three acclaimed books (Thinking in Bets, How to Decide, and Quit), where she explores maintaining clarity in uncertainty. Annie Duke might be out of the game, but her message that poker is primarily a game of skill remains timeless.
Vanessa Selbst: “In poker, like in life, you have to take risks to get ahead.”
Vanessa Selbst embodies courage, intellect, and unwavering confidence — a combination that propelled her to legendary status in the world of poker. Her quote is more than game wisdom; it’s a philosophy applied in every facet of her life. As a three-time WSOP bracelet holder and for many years the most successful woman in tournament earnings history, Selbst demonstrated that to be exceptional means taking risks where others hesitate. Her playing style was aggressive, calculated, and unpredictable, the kind that changes the table dynamics.
Although she eventually stepped away from professional poker in favor of an investment career, her legacy in the community persists. Her departure wasn’t entirely final; she occasionally makes appearances in live tournaments, always attracting attention. The infamous Main Event WSOP hand where her full house was beaten by an opponent's quads is one of the most memorable and brutal hands in tournament history. Symbolically, it reminds us that even when everything is done right, victory isn’t guaranteed. Selbst has never been defined by a single loss. Her career, from law student to poker star to successful investor, proves that risk often leads to great rewards, whether at the table or in life.
Jennifer Harman: “Poker isn’t about the cards you’re dealt — it’s about how you play them.”
Jen Harman is one of those players who didn’t need to shout to be heard. Her style was calm, focused, and relentlessly effective. Her quote is perhaps one of the purest definitions of why poker is more than a game of chance. It's an essential truth that true masters don't play the cards dealt, but the situations they find themselves in. And Jen Harman excelled at navigating those.
A two-time WSOP winner, especially respected in the highest cash games in Las Vegas, she was one of the first women not only participating in these prestigious games but regularly dominating them. Her quiet authority and precise reads of opponents earned her respect among the best, including legendary pros who inducted her into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2015. From TV poker shows like High Stakes Poker to Poker After Dark, she is remembered by viewers worldwide. Beyond the card world, she’s known as a passionate animal advocate and philanthropist. Harman shows that a player’s character isn't revealed only by how they play an ace, but more importantly by how they handle a deuce.
When Women's Words at the Table Speak Louder than Cards
The quotes we’ve presented aren’t just catchy phrases. They reflect experiences, losses, wins, and courage. Annie Duke, Vanessa Selbst, and Jen Harman aren't just outstanding players, but thinkers who understand that poker is more than just a game. It's a mental duel, a life lesson, and a mirror of personality. Their words inspire not just players, but everyone who wants to understand what it means to take risks, learn from losses, and play smart even with unfavorable cards.
And we’re just getting started. In the next part of the article, we'll delve into more remarkable women who left an indelible mark in the poker world. We’ll explore thoughts from Maria Ho, Kristen Bicknell, Barbara Enright, and others whose stories might surprise you as much as an unexpected river. Poker has never been just about the cards, but about the people who play them.
