Updated: 2026.03.14

Joanne “JJ” Liu is one of the most recognizable and successful female poker players in history. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, she moved to the United States to build a career as a computer engineer before discovering her natural talent for poker. Known for her sophisticated style and iconic collection of hats, she is a trailblazer who has spent over 25 years competing at the highest levels. In 2012, her contributions to the game were officially recognized when she was inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Joanne Liu has won nearly $4 million in live tournament earnings. She currently ranks in the top 5 of the Taiwan All Time Money List. Her biggest career score happened in 2007 at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship, where she finished as the runner up for a massive $600,000. At the time, this was the highest finish ever for a woman in a World Poker Tour championship event.

Liu has a long history of deep runs in major series. In 2005, she finished 4th in the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $362,140. She is also a winner on the World Poker Tour, having taken first place in the WPT Ladies Night IV in 2006. More recently, she showed she still has what it takes by finishing 4th in a deepstack event at the 2023 World Series of Poker for $140,442 and placing 31st in the 2025 WPT Prime Taiwan Championship in her home country.

Joanne Liu poker — Joanne Liu (credit: PokerNews photographer Alicia Skillman)

Biography & Poker Background

Born in 1965 in Taipei, Taiwan, Joanne Liu first came to the U.S. to pursue higher education. she earned a Master’s degree in computer engineering from Bradley University in Illinois and eventually moved to Silicon Valley to work as a software engineer. It wasn’t until 1996 that she discovered poker after walking into a California card room. She realized that poker was a game where her logical and mathematical mind could give her a real edge. She began playing part time and found success almost immediately, making a WSOP final table in her very first year of playing. In 2004, she decided to leave her engineering career behind to play poker professionally full time.

Play Style & Strategy

Liu is often described as an “old school” legend with a very modern understanding of the game. Her strategy is heavily influenced by Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, a book she credits for helping her understand the psychological side of competition. She is famous for her table presence, often wearing extravagant hats and stylish outfits to create a unique persona that can sometimes distract or disarm her opponents. However, underneath the fashion is a very disciplined and aggressive player who knows how to pick her spots. She is especially strong in “freezeout” tournaments and has voiced her passion for seeing more women join the game, often acting as a mentor to newer female players.

Want to keep track of Joanne “JJ” Liu as she continues to add to her legendary career in 2026? You can follow her latest tournament cashes and rankings through these links: