Experts
Annie Duke
Professional Poker Player
Recent Activity
To Win Rock, Paper, Scissors: Never Start with Paper
The champion of the 2006 World Series Tournament offers tips on how to recognize patterns behind what your opponent throws out. … Watch
October 7, 2009 | In Inspiration & Wisdom
Four Kinds of Male Poker Players: Rational, Angry, Disrespecting, Flirting
From "frigid bitch" to "cunt," Annie Duke is no stranger to name-calling at the table. She’s even classified the men she has met into categories. … Watch
Never Take Poker Tips from Strangers
Professional competitor Annie Duke recalls the best and worst advice she’s received during her career. … Watch
October 7, 2009 | In History, Inspiration & Wisdom
So You Think You Can Play Poker?
Annie Duke, winner of the 2004 World Series Tournament of Champions, believes money and emotional management skills set you apart from the competition. … Watch
October 7, 2009 | In Business & Economics
Big Think Interview with Annie Duke
A conversation with the professional poker player. … Watch
October 7, 2009 | In Business & Economics, History, Identity
In 1994, at the suggestion of her brother, famed poker player Howard Lederer, Duke tried her hand at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. She ended up placing 13th in her first tournament, knocking her brother out of play. After winning 70K in her first month of competition, Duke and her husband made the move to Las Vegas so she could pursue poker professionally.
Over the course of the next decade, Duke established herself as one of the best poker players in the world. In 2004, Duke beat out an assembly of 234 players in the WSOP $2000 buy-in Omaha Hi/Lo Split and won her first WSOP bracelet. In August of the same year, Duke knocked out 8 of the worlds’ greatest poker legends and won $2 million in the No-Limit Texas Hold’em winner-take-all, invitation-only WSOP Tournament of Champions, established by ESPN and Harrah’s Entertainment.
Duke now serves as a consultant for the online poker site UltimateBet.com to ensure that their rules of poker and tournament structure match those you would find in the famous poker rooms of the Las Vegas strip. Furthermore, she is sought after for her vast poker skills and knowledge, coaching the likes of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on their poker game.
