It’s no secret that poker is still largely male-dominated. If you’ve ever wondered how many women play online poker, the answer is: not enough—yet. Women make up just around 5% of the player pool, both online and live. But that small percentage is making a big impact.
Despite being outnumbered, a growing group of female poker players are winning major titles, cashing in big at final tables, and staking their claim in events like the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. Whether it’s live action or online tournaments, these women are proving that poker is a game for everyone.
Let’s take a closer look at 10 of the most influential women in poker today—and how they’re continuing to shape the game in 2025.
Vanessa Selbst (USA)
A true icon in the poker world, Vanessa Selbst remains the highest-earning female poker player in history, with over $12 million in live earnings. Known for her sharp mind and fearless playstyle, Selbst carved her legacy with three WSOP bracelets and countless deep runs. Though she retired from full-time play in 2018, her impact on the game hasn’t faded.
Best Live Cash: $1,823,430 - 2010 Partouche Poker Tour Main Event
WSOP Bracelet(s): 3
| Year | WSOP Event | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha | $227,933 |
| 2012 | $2,500 10-Game Six Handed | $244,259 |
| 2014 | $25,000 Mixed-Max No-Limit Hold’em | $871,148 |
Kathy Liebert (USA)
Kathy Liebert is as seasoned as they come. In 2024, she took down the Wynn Ladies Event, and in early 2025, she added a WSOP Circuit ring to her resume. With over $7 million in earnings and more than 80 WSOP cashes, she continues to compete at a high level year after year.
Best Live Cash: $1,000,000 - 2002 Partypoker Million $8,000 Limit Hold’em
WSOP Bracelet(s): 1
| Year | WSOP Event | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout | $110,180 |
Kristen Bicknell (Canada)
Formerly known as Kristen Bicknell, Kristen Foxen has been a dominant force in both online and live poker. With back-to-back wins at the PokerGO Tour Kickoff in 2024 and 2025, she’s showing no signs of slowing down. Her live earnings now top $10 million, and she remains a strong contender on any table she joins.
Best Live Cash: $600,000 – 2024 55th World Series of Poker
WSOP Bracelet(s): 3
| Year | WSOP Event | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold’em Championship | $173,922 |
| 2016 | $1,500 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | $290,768 |
| 2020 | $2,500 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (Online) | $356,411 |
| 2024 | $1,000 No Limit Hold'em - 6-Max (Online Bracelet Event #19) | $56,703 |
Annie Duke (USA)
Though she’s stepped away from competitive poker, Annie Duke is still one of the most recognizable names in the game. Her legendary win at the 2004 WSOP Tournament of Champions earned her $2 million, and she remains one of the few women to claim a WSOP bracelet and a national heads-up title.
Best Live Cash: $2,000,000 - 2004 WSOP Tournament of Champions
WSOP Bracelet(s): 1
| Year | WSOP Event | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $3,000 Omaha High-Low 8/OB | $137,860 |
Maria Ho (USA)
Maria Ho blends skill with charisma. In 2023, she won the debut season of Poker After Dark: Game of Gold, earning $456,000. She followed up in 2024 by winning the Celebrity Poker Tour Championship. With over $5 million in live earnings and 10 WSOP final table appearances, Maria is more than just a fan favorite—she’s a serious threat at any table.
Best Live Cash: $540,020 - 2011 WSOP $5,000 No Limit Hold’em
Major Titles: Game of Gold Champion (2023), CPT Champion (2024)
Annette Obrestad (Norway)
Annette Obrestad stunned the world when she won the first-ever WSOP Europe Main Event at just 18 years old. Although she’s since taken a step back from the poker spotlight, her nearly $4 million in earnings and groundbreaking success still make her a legend among female players.
Best Live Cash: $2,013,733 - 2007 WSOPE £10,000 No Limit Hold'Em Event
WSOP Bracelet(s): 1
| Year | WSOP Event | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | £10,000 No Limit Hold'Em Event | $2,013,733 |
Liv Boeree (UK)
After a brief hiatus, Liv Boeree returned with a bang in 2024, finishing fourth in the WSOP Super Main Event. The nearly $2.8 million payday was the biggest single cash ever for a female player. Liv, a former astrophysicist, now sits among the top five women in poker history by earnings (more than $6 million).
Best Live Cash: $1,698,300 - 2010 European Poker Tour Main Event
WSOP Bracelet(s): 1
| Year | WSOPE Event | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold'Em Championship | $273,964 |
Vanessa Rousso (USA)
Retired American pro Vanessa Rousso basked in the spotlight during the early 2000s to the tune of $3,554,328 in accumulated earnings. Rousso successfully bagged multiple six-figure wins and a lineup of deep runs including a fifth-place finish at the 2010 World Series of Poker Heads Up No Limit Hold'em Championship. Aside from her achievements on the felt, Rousso served to be Team PokerStars for almost a decade, carrying the name "Lady Maverick".
Best Live Cash: $700,160 - 2009 EPT High Roller Championship
Maria Lampropulos (Argentina)
Maria Lampropulos made her mark with huge wins at partypoker MILLIONS and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Her live earnings are now over $3.6 million, and she continues to represent South America as one of its top female pros.
Best Live Cash: $1,255,004 - 2017 Partypoker MILLIONS £5,300 No Limit Hold'Em
Joanne Liu (Taiwan)
Joanne “JJ” Liu has been crushing games since the ’90s. With over $3.8 million in earnings and two WPT final tables, she’s one of the most successful Asian women in poker history—and still going strong.
Best Live Cash: $600,000 - 2007 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship Event
Conclusion
Given the ten highlighted women is just a small sample of the successful female segment, there are dozens more who failed to make the cut yet has proven time and time again that their capabilities shine above the rest. Looking back, a few honorable mentions including Barbara Enright who was the first woman to be inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame, and Linda Johnson, coined as ‘The First Lady of Poker’ and one of the founders and announcers of WPT, have strongly made an impact on the overall growth of the game.
There is also Russian-American writer Maria Konnikova whose writing career found success by applying gameplay strategy in real life and Natural8 ambassador Hui Chen ‘Kitty’ Kuo who has captured the attention of the poker community in recent years for her impressive performance in the field, banking over $3.6 million, a few shy of making the top 10.
Aside from the personal accomplishments of these women, their work is more importantly regarded as inspirations to the growing number of female players as well as to those looking to find success across the modern poker scene.
Image Source: Pokernews
