01.13
Focus on Annie Duke
Annie Duke mightn’t have won her first WSOP Bracelet until 2004 but she is still one of the most powerful poker competitors around the ring matches at The Bellagio in Vegas. Annie’s long-awaited World Series of Poker win came with success at the "forgotten game" of Omaha Hi-Lo.
While players from the "younger generation" of poker go berserk following a huge win at the tables, Annie heads home to be "mom" to her four kids. She hails from NH and was raised into a family of card players. If you do not believe that, observe her brother, Howard Lederer, when he plays, who taught her how-to compete in poker.
However, Annie Duke is not a small change girl and has earned her cut of hard games, including eliminating Howard a few times on several occasions.
Earning well over three million dollars in tournament play, Annie branched out to become a consultant to both UltimateBet and Hollywood actor Ben Affleck, who wished to build up his skills and become a force in poker.
You might glimpse her at the Bellagio, you will catch her on TV and you may even play against her in a web poker match, but do not count on an easy win. Unless you are a rising star, you will not beat her. However, it would be fun to say you sat at the same table as "The Duke".