In recent times, many of the old ideas and notions surrounding gender have been gradually discarded and reformed within society in general. This has resulted in a number of activities, traditionally regarded as being exclusively for men, becoming open and acceptable for all genders.
The gambling world, for instance, has seen in a phenomenal surge in the number of women becoming successfully involved over past decades. Perhaps the most spectacular of which has been the rise of women in poker.
Here are some of the biggest names on an ever-growing list of female poker stars.
Vanessa Selbst
Being the only woman, so far, to reach number one on the Global Poker Index, Vanessa has been at the top of the list of female poker players for the past 12 years and earned great respect and prestige in the world of poker.
Recently retired, her career winnings total at over $11,8 million, and, among her many achievements, she has won three World Series of Poker bracelets, and made two final tables at the World Poker Tour. Selbst has also won and participated in a number of other high-rolling international professional poker events, such as the Partouche Poker Tour in France, where she won first place and pocketed a cool €1,300,000 ($1,82 million).
Kathy Liebert
A World Series of Poker regular, Kathy Liebert has been on the professional poker circuit for almost two decades now, and yet to retire.
With a tournament earnings of $6,3 million, Kathy has won multiple professional poker events, a WSOP bracelet, made six final tables at the World Poker Tour, and in 2005 became the highest finishing woman in World Poker Tour history, until her record was broken in 2007 by J.J. Liu.
Kristen Bicknell
Beginning her poker career while still in college, Bicknell began playing online poker in 2006, and later went on to join live tournaments, winning an event at the WSOP tour in Nevada in 2013.
Since then, she has claimed three WSOP bracelets, participated in numerous live poker tournaments around the world, and is currently at around $5 million in tournaments earnings.
Annie Duke
Before Vanessa Selbst came around, Annie Duke held the title of leading money winner among women in World Series of Poker, and over her career has amassed a total of $4,2 million.
In 2004, she won a WSOP bracelet and $2 million at the WSOP Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas and was also the first woman to win the NBC National Heads-up Poker Championship in 2010.
Though not “officially” retired, since 2012 Duke has focused her attention on a successful career as an author in behavioural decision science and decision education.
Other Notable Female Poker Stars Include:
Annette Obrestad
Total Winnings: $3,9 million
Titles: 1 WSOP bracelet
Liv Boeree
Total Winnings: $3,8 million
Titles: 1 WSOP bracelet + 1 EPT title
Joanne ‘J.J.’ Liu
Total winnings: $3,2 million
Titles: WPT runner-up
Maria Ho
Total winnings: $2,9 million
Titles: 1 WPT title
Victoria Coren Mitchell
Total winnings: $2,5 million
Titles: 2 EPT titles