With this year’s Women in Poker Hall of Fame 2024 inductee big reveal almost upon us, it’s time to take a look at the five most influential women in poker history. Outstanding players, remarkable organisers, and tireless promoters of the game all get a look in.
5. Linda Johnson
Even before the poker boom started by Chris Moneymaker in 2003 there were women attracted to poker – and they weren’t there just as extras or ‘molls’ on the arm of males either.
Known as “The First Lady of Poker”, Linda Johnson is not only known for her play at the tables (she won WSOP gold in 1997 in the $1,500 Seven-Card Razz event), but even more so as the queen of the World Poker Tour (WPT).
One of the founders of the WPT, Johnson was also a studio announcer for the first six seasons, and in 2017 was presented with the inaugural WPT Honors Award.
“Linda played a unique role in helping shape the World Poker Tour, and she embodies all that the WPT stands for,” stated WPT CEO Adam Pliska.
Throw in her publishing work with CardPlayer magazine, helping to set up the Tournament Directors Association (TDA), and co-founding the non-profit PokerGives.org and you’ll see why Linda Johnson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011.
4. Jennifer Harman
Being seen competing, and winning, at the very top level is a sure-fire route to becoming influential and Jennifer Harman blazed a trail for many of today’s young female players.
As the only female reg at Bobby’s Game, Jennifer was also part of the Corporation that took on Andy Beal, a Full Tilt Poker sponsored pro, and a TV poker star courtesy of High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark. That made her one of the faces that made women believe they could belong at the poker table.
Although primarily a highstakes cash game player, she also found time to collect two WSOP bracelets and close to $3million in tournament winnings and still competes at a high level even today.
3. Vanessa Selbst
What Harman was to women cash game poker, Vanessa Selbst was to tournament poker, the only woman to break (as of yet) the $10million tournament cashes milestone.
A €1.3million ($1,823,430) scoop of the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event in 2010 and three WSOP bracelets from eight final tables are testament to her tournament prowess. Selbst, however, has another side to her.
A Yale law graduate, openly gay and politically conscious, Selbst has never been shy about speaking her mind and standing up against social injustice. She founded Venture Justice, a foundation providing funding to socially conscious entrepreneurship.
That has seen her become a polarising figure within poker, but for many she has been a strong female role model within a male-dominated game.
2. Maria Ho
There will be literally no-one involved in poker at any level who doesn’t know who Maria Ho is – and her reputation is second to none as a player/broadcaster and commentator.
Taiwanese-born American Ho’s playing career has brought her almost $5.5million in earnings, good for 4th spot on the all-time moneywinner’s list for women – with a WPT title and 80 WSOP cashes to her name.
When she’s not at the poker table, she is actively involved in other aspects of the game, in 2013 becoming the first woman to ever be hired as strategy commentator on a televised poker program.
Since then, Maria has broken all sorts of moulds to become one of the most instantly recognised faces of poker, from ESPN and CBS to PokerGO commentary to managing her own team in the Global Poker League.
Ho, already a Women in Poker Hall of Famer, enhanced her reputation by bagging the Poker After Dark: Game of Gold series late last year. She picked up $456,000 for finishing ahead of a host of stars including Daniel Negreanu, Dan “Jungleman Cates” and Charlie Carrel.
1. Jennifer Shahade
It takes a special talent to succeed in more than one field and Jennifer Shahade has managed at least two – a hugely influential figure in both poker and chess.
Women’s Grandmaster, author of multiple books including Chess Bitch and Play Like a Girl, the 44-year-old Philadelphian is also a tireless advocate for women in mindsports.
An ambassador for PokerStars for most of her career, Jennifer has also picked up two Global Poker Awards for journalism – Best Podcast and Best Media Contant: Written, highlighting her versatility and virtuosity.
Nominated for this year’s Women in Poker Hall of Fame, Jennifer Shahade must be considered a serious contender for induction.
Voting for this year’s Women in Poker Hall of Fame ended yesterday with the results set to be revealed in November and the Class of 2024 Induction Celebration & Ceremony taking place December 11, 2024. The nominees are: Kristen Bicknell Foxen, Liv Boeree, Jeanne David, Jamie Kerstetter, Kara Scott, Rebecca McAdam Willetts, Annette Obrestad, and Jennifer Shahade.
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