How far would you go if you played at World Poker Tour for the first time?When Annie Duke made her first major public appearance in the poker scene, she showed the world that females can play poker too. Many years of experience with cards and competition made her last until 14th place, and a total of $70,000 richer.
She spends 16-20 hours at a poker table making a living, all while being a full time mom of four and a yoga and health fanatic, hence, Duke is known as the world’s most successful female poker player!
Before Duke concentrated herself in poker, she is focused on her career in college where she excelled in academics and was studying for her PHD in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
With the suggestion of her brother, renowned 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. Duke won 70K in her first month of competition.
Since Duke began playing tournaments,she won over $3 Million dollars in poker tournament profession. Duke has 1 World Series Of Poker bracelet and has finished 2nd place twice.
In 2004, the stardom of her poker career, Duke won the $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic/WPT Championship, and Las Vegas winning close to $150,000. Duke also won the very impressive tournament, Tournament of Champions for $2,000,000.Duke generally does not attend ladies only events. She stated in an interview with CBS, "Poker is one of the only sports where a woman can compete on a totally equal footing with a man, so I don't understand why there's a ladies only tournament." Duke wants to beat only the best at the game whether they are male of female.
In 2005, Duke launched her first book called, “Annie Duke: How I raised, folded, bluffed, flirted, cursed and won millions at the World Series of Poker”. Written by herself and her co-writer David Diamond. The book includes from Duke's personal life to her poker career in achieving her first WSOP bracelet. Duke also launched her DVD’s, which include “Annie Duke’s Advanced Texas Hold’em Secrets: How to Beat the Big Boys”
Duke also launched “Annie Duke’s Beginner’s Guide To Texas Hold 'em” and “Annie Duke’s Girl’s Guide To Texas Hold 'em” both released in January 2006, and in February 2006, she launched, “Masters of Poker: Annie Duke’s Conquering Online Poker”.
In addition, Duke also engage in the Team Ultimate Bet,and is a sought after poker coach, teaching celebrities like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Ashton Kutcher and Charles Barkley. She has a reputation of taking on the poker regulatory affairs in televised tournaments. She is also a member of the Mob on NBCs 1 vs 100. She also appeared on NBCs Poker After Dark thrice, without a win.
Duke was also featured in GSN premiered special Annie Duke Takes on the World appearing as an amateur poker player. She has also made an appearance on Deal or no Deal by supporting a contestant.
Annie Duke is one of the most famous names in the tournament circuit! In 2208, Duke holds the women's record for most "in the money" finishes at the WSOP.
Annie Duke routinely raises funds to benefit charities and frequently offers a private poker lessons with herself as a charity auction item. She is involved in various charitable organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ante Up for Africa, Children’s Hospital, and many others. That is why Duke is chosen to be a project manager on Celebrity Apprentice.
