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Vanessa Selbst is an American former professional poker player widely regarded as the most successful female tournament player in the history of the game. A three-time WSOP bracelet winner, she is known for her elite analytical mind and her successful transition from the poker table to a career in high-finance hedge funds.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings of $11,906,246 (according to The Hendon Mob), Selbst remains the all-time leader in earnings among women. Her career-best live score of $1,823,430 came from a victory in the 2010 Partouche Poker Tour Main Event. She is the only woman to have won three WSOP bracelets in open events: the $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha (2008), the $10,000 10-Game Mix (2012), and the $25,000 Mixed Max NLH (2014). Her consistent high-stakes success and transition to a professional trading career have built an estimated net worth of approximately $12 million to $15 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Born on July 9, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York, Selbst was an academic standout, attending Yale University for both her undergraduate degree and a law degree. She discovered poker during her college years and rose to prominence as a member of Team PokerStars Pro. Known for her fierce intellect and advocacy, she balanced a professional poker career with social justice work before moving into the world of hedge fund trading in 2018. Despite her “retirement,” she remains a legendary figure in the poker community, occasionally returning for major events like the WSOP .
Play Style & Strategy
Selbst is famous for an “ultra-aggressive” and fearlessly creative play style that often intimidated the world’s best professionals. Her strategy was rooted in systematic reasoning and analytical discipline, utilizing deep-stack pressure to force opponents into uncomfortable decisions. She was a pioneer in utilizing advanced mathematical concepts and game theory long before they became industry standard, particularly in high-stakes Mixed Game and No-Limit formats. Her ability to maintain intense focus and curiosity allowed her to dismantle diverse fields and master multiple poker variants at the highest level.
Social Media & Online Presence
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