Poker is often seen as a man's world, but many female players have proven otherwise with results at the very highest level. Their stories are changing the image of the game and showing that at the green felt there are no gender barriers — only skill, knowledge and courage.
Below we bring you portraits of women who have left an indelible mark on poker history.
Vanessa Selbst — the most successful female player
American Vanessa Selbst was long considered the most successful female player in history, with several WSOP bracelets and millions of dollars in winnings. She was known for an aggressive, fearless style that intimidated even the best male opponents.
Alongside her top-level career, Selbst is also a law graduate — living proof that a sharp mind from the green felt carries over perfectly to other areas of life. Her ability to read opponents and make decisions under pressure became legendary in the poker community.
Although she has retired from professional poker, her name remains synonymous with dominance and stands as the standard that all future generations of female players aspire to.
Kristen Foxen — a modern star
Among today's players, Kristen Foxen stands out: through a string of brilliant results she has become one of the best in the world, regardless of gender. Her knowledge is so highly valued that other players — including stars of the tournament scene — come to her for advice.
Foxen shows that the top of poker has no gender barriers. At the table, all that counts is skill and a cool head, and she proves it tournament after tournament.
Her approach to the game is technical, analytical and strategically precise — which makes her a role model not only for female players, but for anyone who wants to get serious about modern poker.
Liv Boeree and Maria Ho — champions with influence
Liv Boeree — from astrophysics to poker
British player Liv Boeree, an astrophysicist by training, combined poker with science and became known as a speaker and a popularizer of rational thinking. Her career includes a WSOP title and millions of dollars in winnings, but also work on projects that connect logic, probability and philosophy.
Boeree showed that poker can be part of a broader way of thinking — and that the skill of making decisions under uncertainty has applications far beyond the cards.
Maria Ho — the face of poker
American Maria Ho has for years been one of the most recognizable faces of the game — both as a player and as a broadcast host. Her career includes dozens of final tables at the biggest tournaments, as well as TV work that has made her an ambassador for the game.
Each in her own way, both have helped make poker more open, more diverse and more accessible to a wider audience.
More and more female players
Although women are still a minority at the tables, their numbers and influence grow year after year. Dedicated tournaments and support programs are attracting new female players, and the examples set by these champions show young girls that they, too, can make it to the top.
Poker doesn't belong to just one half of the world's population. The game belongs to everyone who's ready to learn, practice and play smart — regardless of gender, age or background.
If you want to see what that looks like at regular tournaments, you're welcome in our community — where the game is played fair and everyone who sits down at the table is respected.
Join the club
Want to learn poker or improve your game? Kiril Poker Club runs regular tournaments, supports beginners and brings together players who love fair play and good company.
Join the club: message the agent on Telegram, they send you the club app and get you to a table. Details are in the guide. See you at the table!
