3 Top Female Poker Players Who Have Enjoyed Success Away from the Table

For many amateur poker players, the idea of being able to play the game for a living would be the ultimate dream. Not only would they be able to get by doing what they love, but the level of prize money in major tournaments could potentially give them access to a life of luxury.

Living the dream?

When you think of professional poker success, the first thing that probably springs to mind is the idea of a high-roller lifestyle full of private jets, luxury suites and seats at the most prestigious tables. That level of exclusivity is something which is celebrated in the casino industry and has even made its way into the online world through services like Mr Green’s Club Royale. The VIP membership scheme offers players access to a range of bespoke promotions, adventures in far-flung destinations and benefits including a one-to-one concierge service.

Considering how exciting those things sound, you might wonder why anyone would want to move on after tasting success in poker and other casino games. However, many people do ultimately look for a life away from the game and here we take a brief look at three female poker stars who have gone on to enjoy major success in very different areas.

Vanessa Selbst

The most successful female poker player of all time, Brooklyn-born Selbst, was the first and only woman to win three prestigious WSOP bracelets. However, despite a hugely successful career in which she amassed winnings thought to be more than $11 million, she announced at the start of 2018 that she was putting the game behind her.

She now works for investment management firm Bridgewater Associates, reportedly taking up a position after being introduced to the hedge fund by friend Galen Hall. She has explained that the move required a major overhaul of her approach to others but is glad to have broken away from the game.

Victoria Coren Mitchell

Hailing from London and boasting live earnings thought to be around the $2.5 million mark, Victoria Coren Mitchell has enjoyed a number of notable successes in her poker career. Not only was she the first woman to win a European Poker Tour event, but she then went on to become the first player to win two European Poker Tour Main Events. Such triumphs led to her being inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame in 2016.

Away from poker Coren Mitchell has enjoyed a range of success as a journalist and TV and radio broadcaster. She is perhaps best known at present as the host of BBC quiz show Only Connect.

Annie Duke

The holder of one WSOP bracelet, Annie Duke is another one of poker’s most successful female players. She is thought to have won more than $4 million during her career and is notably the only woman to have won the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.

However, her life away from poker has also been eventful, as she has written numerous books, raised significant funds for charity and is now a corporate speaker and consultant on the issue of decision-making.

Success in a range of fields

The examples above highlight not only how female players have truly excelled at poker in the past decade or so, but also the diverse fields in which they have later found success.

It undoubtedly demonstrates how poker can attract people from all walks of life and it will be fascinating to see what other poker players turn their hands to in the future.