Maria Konnikova (cover image), the renowned psychology author and PokerStars ambassador, has just added a WSOP online bracelet to her impressive list of accomplishments! She took down the $888 NLHE Fall Crazy 8’s on WSOP.com for a cool $68,477, marking her third-largest score and proving that her poker skills are just as sharp as her writing.
Konnikova, known for her ability to weave together psychology, storytelling, and real-world experiences, showed off her poker prowess in a thrilling heads-up battle against ‘JGP729.’ After a gruelling ten-hour session, she emerged victorious, adding another impressive achievement to her already remarkable career.
We did it!! @WSOP Bracelet #1 😊🥳 pic.twitter.com/KhDnMCQBeD
— Maria Konnikova (@mkonnikova) October 14, 2024
Konnikova’s journey into the poker world began six years ago as research for her bestselling book, “The Biggest Bluff.” What started as an academic endeavour quickly turned into a passion, and she has consistently impressed with her dedication and accomplishments on the felt.
Konnikova’s poker resume is seriously impressive. She burst onto the scene in 2018 with a stunning victory at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA), where she pocketed $84,600. Earlier this year, she added a WSOP Circuit ring to her collection by winning the $525 WSOP Circuit Online Main Event for $57,532. And now, she’s got a WSOP bracelet to complete the trifecta!
But that’s not all. Konnikova has been racking up impressive results left and right, including recent back-to-back five-figure scores in side events at EPT Paris, a second-place finish in the EPT Monte Carlo $1K for over $55,000, and a final table appearance in the EPT Barcelona €3K Mystery Bounty for a career-high score of over $93,000.
This latest bracelet victory seems to echo the achievements of her mentor, Erik Seidel, a Poker Hall of Famer who guided her early poker days and who himself clinched his tenth bracelet at WSOP Paradise in December 2023. Konnikova’s total live earnings now exceed $800,000 – not bad for someone who started playing poker just a few years ago!
Konnikova’s win was met with a wave of congratulations from the poker community. Fellow PokerStars ambassador Farah Galfond, WSOP finalist Max Steinberg, popular chess streamer Alexandra Botez, and fellow poker author Andrew Brokos were among those who praised her accomplishment.
The $888 buy-in event, with its 468-player field and $374,400 prize pool, attracted some serious competition from Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan. But Konnikova proved she could hold her own against the best of them.
Konnikova’s success isn’t limited to the poker table. She’s a true Renaissance woman with a Harvard degree and a PhD in psychology from Columbia University. She seamlessly blends her academic background with her passion for poker, offering unique insights into the game and the human mind.
Whether she’s writing insightful books or outsmarting her opponents on the felt, Konnikova continues to inspire and amaze. She’s a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a deep understanding of human psychology.
Final Table Results (USD)
- Maria Konnikova – $68,478
- ‘JGP729’ – $49,645
- ‘2stuck2eat’ – $35,980
- ‘supercycle’ – $26,283
- ‘NFin8’ – $19,356
- ‘Catchrvr’ – $14,227
- ‘Basura’ – $10,521
- ‘333ELJEFE’ – $7,825
- ‘dirteharry21’ – $5,841
Content & Images Courtesy: PokerNews and Poker.Org