Vanessa Selbst - Queen of Strategy
Vanessa Selbst is considered the best woman in poker history - and many experts say she is one of the best players ever, regardless of gender. Selbst has always been known for her aggressive and unpredictable play. Her willingness to take risks at the right moments and her brilliant reading of her opponents have allowed her to not only survive in tough tournament fields, but to dominate. She was the first woman to win three WSOP bracelets in open tournaments and earned more than $11 million during her career.
Interesting fact:
Vanessa is a graduate of Yale Law School and after her professional poker career, she pursued a career in law and hedge funds. Her intelligence and ability to make decisions under pressure has opened doors for her outside of the poker world.
Biggest accomplishments:
- Three-time WSOP winner
- Two-time winner of the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) - dominated the tournament two years in a row
- First woman to be ranked number one in the world on the Global Poker Index
Kathy Liebert - Pioneer of big wins
Kathy Liebert is one of the most enduring and respected figures on the American poker scene. Back in the day when it was very unusual to see women in major tournaments, Kathy boldly forged her own path. She gained her fame in 2002 when she won the Party Poker Million, becoming the first woman to win more than $1 million in a single tournament. She is known for her analytical style of play, her ability to adapt to different opponents, and most importantly, her steady results over the decades.
Interesting fact:
Liebert started out in finance as a business analyst on Wall Street, but was attracted to the excitement and variability of the poker world, which eventually brought her to the poker tables.
Biggest accomplishments:
- Winning the Party Poker Million (2002)
- Winning a WSOP bracelet in 2004
- Career winnings of more than $7 million
Annie Duke - Poker strategist both in practice and in books
Annie Duke is one of the most influential figures in poker history - not only for her achievements at the table, but also for her contributions outside of it. Her greatest achievements include winning the WSOP in 2004 and triumphing in the 2010 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, defeating Eric Seidel in the final.
Despite the fact that she hasn't been actively playing poker for over a decade, she continues to maintain a top 10 ranking in total live tournament winnings among women. Her game was characterized by a deep understanding of her opponent's psychology and an excellent ability to bluff at the right moments.
Interesting fact:
Annie studied cognitive psychology and her interest in human behavior led her not only to poker victories, but also to write bestsellers such as Thinking in Bets and How to Decide, where she teaches people how to make decisions in uncertain situations.
Biggest accomplishments:
- Winning a WSOP bracelet in 2004
- Winner of the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship (2010)
- Author of popular books on strategy and decision making
Barbara Enright - Breakthrough Player
Barbara Enright is a true pioneer of women's poker. She was the first woman to reach the WSOP Main Event final table in 1995, a huge milestone at the time. Enright was also the first woman to win an open tournament at the WSOP. She is known for her fearless playing style and her willingness to take on anyone at the table, regardless of her opponent's reputation. She has won three WSOP bracelets during her career and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007 - the first woman ever to do so.
Interesting fact:
Enright was once a hairdresser who played poker part-time for a living - until her passion for the game forced her to jump into the world of professional poker full time.
Biggest accomplishments:
- Three WSOP bracelets
- WSOP Main Event final table (1995)
- First woman in the Poker Hall of Fame
Liv Boeree - Intelligence and charm rolled into one
Liv Boeree represents the modern face of women's poker - a combination of beauty, intelligence and professionalism. Before becoming a professional player, she studied astrophysics at the University of Manchester and worked as a model.
Her analytical approach to the game helped her win the European Poker Tour (EPT) San Remo in 2010, taking home a prize of €1.25 million. Only two women have managed to win an EPT tournament before her. Boeree is also the only woman to win a WSOP bracelet and dominate an EPT tournament. Liv is a passionate promoter of science, logical thinking and decision-making philosophy.
Interesting fact:
She co-founded the Raising for Effective Giving (REG) project, which connects poker players with effective philanthropy - demonstrating that success at the table can help beyond the table. Today, she works as a television host, motivational speaker, and host of the Win-Win podcast.
Biggest accomplishments:
- EPT San Remo winner (2010)
- More than $6.5 million in tournament winnings
- Active promoter of science, ethics and logical thinking in society
Each of these women has shown that poker is not just a man's game. Their successes have inspired thousands of other female players to sit down at the table and show the world that boundaries exist only in our heads. The future of poker is bright: it will belong to those who can think strategically, act boldly and believe in themselves - regardless of gender.
Source - Wikipedia, PokerNews, CardsChat,