Top Women Poker Players of All Time

This article was shared with us by Jamie Wall, Lead Writer and Content Manager at Gamblizard. Jamie is known for his in-depth  casino reviews, with a focus on helping players understand the terms and conditions of each online casino bonus. Drawing on his knowledge of online gambling, he will share stories of outstanding players, their participation in major championships, achievements and prize money.

Women have consistently proven their prowess. This dates as far back as the 1800s with figures like Alice Ivers. Also known as "Poker Alice". However, it wasn't until the 1970s that poker truly skyrocketed in popularity. The launch of the World Series of Poker saw many women come into the game.

Now, let's take a closer look at some of the most successful women poker players and their contributions to the game.

Venessa Selbst

If you search for the names of the best women poker players, you won’t miss Venessa Selbst. Others would call her the queen of poker. She has earned about $12 million in live tournaments. She plays aggressively.

She’s also known to read her opponents well. These strategies have made her the winner of the World Series of Poker 3 times. Venessa is the only woman to win three WSOP bracelets in open events. This means she had to go through both men and women to win.

She won $1500 at the WSOP Pot-Limit Omaha Event in 2008. Venessa also won a $2500 Mixed-Max No-Limit Hold-em event in 2014. Her biggest loot came in 2010 when she won $1.82 million at the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event.

Venessa retired in 2018, leaving her legacy as one of the best female poker players.

Kristen Foxen

If you are a poker fan from Canada, you have heard about Kristen Foxen. Her former name was Kristen Bicknell. She is among the best poker players, earning over $7.5 million from tournaments.

Kristen has four WSOP bracelets to her name. This shows that she can compete in high-stakes events and really give opponents a run for their money. Her strategies involve being logical and keeping calm at the table, which makes it difficult for other players to figure out her moves.

Kristen earned her place at the table and is regarded as one of the world's most skilled women poker players. But fortunately, today anyone can start playing poker thanks to the opportunity to try their hand at free online, without having to place real bets. This is a great way to learn the game, understand its strategic aspects and develop skills without financial risk. Many sites offer additional benefits such as online casino bonus for beginners, freerolls and other promotions, and allows you to get additional funds for the game, free spins or participation in exclusive tournaments.

Maria Ho

Maria is a prominent poker personality and commentator. She is also a great player who has won over $6 million in various poker competitions. Even though she doesn’t have a WSOP bracelet, she is still one of the best.

Maria was the runner-up in the WSOP $5000 No-Limit Hold’em event. Her strategies involve a dynamic playstyle and remaining patient. This helps her take advantage of her opponent’s weaknesses. These skills have helped her stay competitive over the years playing poker. Through her broadcasting, she helps to promote the game and encourage more women to play poker.

Annie Duke

Annie Duke is also known as the Duchess of Poker. This is a famous name among female Poker players in the United States. Over the years, Annie has earned over $4.2 million in tournament winnings.

She won her first WSOP bracelet in 2004. Annie was the first woman to win the National Heads-Up Poker Championship in 2010. She is known for her mad skills in heads-up matches. Duchess of Poker is known to apply pressure to outplay her opponents. Even though her career suffered some controversies, she opened the door for several women in poker.

Annie now focuses on public speaking. She has also written books on decision-making. She teaches others about making smart choices in life and business.

Annette Obrestad

Coming from Norway, Annette is a force to reckon with regarding Poker. She instantly blew up after winning the first-ever WSOP Europe in 2007. She pulled off this great win just a day before her 19th birthday.

She won a whopping £1 million. Annette started playing poker online under the name “Annette_15”. She is intelligent and fearless when playing. What’s interesting? She won an online tournament with 180 players without looking at her cards.

Annette has been successful in both online and live poker. Her unique approach to the game has earned her a special place in poker history.

Loni Harwood

Among the best women Poker players in the U.S. is Loni Harwood. She has made a name for herself and won about $3.9 million from the game. She is known as a top performer in WSOP events.

In 2013, she progressed to 5 final tables. This is an impressive record for any Poker player. She has an aggressive playing style and perfectly reads her opponents when playing. This has helped her become successful in tournaments and cash games.

She won the WSOP National Championship in 2015. This shows how good she can be under pressure.

Liv Boeree

Liv is a top Poker player from the UK. She also doubles as a TV personality and a science communicator. She has earned over $3.8 million in tournaments. In 2010, she won the European Poker Tour Sanremo Main Event, taking home €1.25 million. It was her biggest win since she started paying.

Liv's background in physics is heavily linked to her ability to think strategically when playing. She also has a WSOP bracelet, making her one of the few women to win both EPT and WSOP titles. Liv Boeree uses her fame to encourage rational thinking and Charity.

Joanne “JJ” Liu

Coming from Taiwan, Joanne has established herself as one of the best poker players. She is known for her calm and focused presence at the table, and most people associate her with her signature stylish hats.

Over the years, she’s made a fortune of more than $3.5 million in live tournament winnings. Joanne has achieved multiple deep runs in major poker events through her tight, aggressive play style.

This has earned her a strong reputation as a formidable opponent in the game. She’s regarded as one of the best poker players of all time, showcasing her aggressive play style. Liu’s influence extends beyond her accomplishments.

She has inspired many women, especially Asian players, to participate in the game. Her contributions have helped create greater diversity in poker.

Conclusion

The women on this list have not only succeeded in poker but also changed the game. They have proven that poker is a game for everyone, regardless of gender. Whether using smart strategies, staying tough mentally, or showing raw talent, these women have broken barriers and inspired new players. Their achievements have left a lasting mark on the poker world and continue influencing the game today.