The Grift<\/em><\/a>, about \u201ccon artists and the lives they ruin.\u201d<\/p>\nIt was a year ago when Konnikova made the conscious decision to enter the poker world. Her latest project will document her journey from novice player to one of elite status while looking at how poker skills translate to the real world.<\/p>\n
For the project, Konnikova immersed herself into poker and game theory by playing and studying the game up to nine hours per day. She approached Erik Seidel<\/strong> for some coaching and set off to play poker as a full-time job for one year.<\/p>\nKonnikova has not only survived. She thrived. She has earned more than $200,000 in live tournament winnings including a first-place finish ina $ 1,500 NLH<\/strong> tournament at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure<\/strong>. That win also earned her a Platinum Pass<\/strong> to the 2019 PokerStars Players Championship<\/strong>, making her the first woman to claim one.<\/p>\nKonnikova is not showing any signs of slowing down. This week, Konnikova was named PokerStars Ambassador.<\/p>\n
Eric Hollreiser<\/strong>, Vice President of Corporate Communications at The Stars Group<\/strong>, said this about Konnikova:<\/p>\nI didn\u2019t know \u2013 or frankly care \u2013 whether she would become a good enough player to turn pro. I knew from her past literary work that she\u2019d be able to distill the essence of poker into life lessons in ways that would resonate with people. That was good enough for me. The fact that she\u2019s now a competitive professional player is a testament to Maria and her work ethic. And it will also make her story even more compelling.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Konnikova finds a home and success on the felt<\/span><\/h2>\nAt a time when some of PokerStars\u2019 biggest names have moved on from their relationship with the online poker site, PokerStars seems to be partnering with a new type of poker player \u2013 one with ties outside of poker.<\/p>\n
Konnikova certainly fits that bill. As a prolific and well-respected writer, Konnikova has the ability to reach far and wide with her storytelling and tales from studying the game.<\/p>\n
Konnikova said the following about joining PokerStars:<\/p>\n
I never could have imagined poker becoming as big a part of my life as it has, and joining PokerStars as an official ambassador offers me an incredible opportunity to take my game to the next level and to represent a brand that I\u2019ve come to admire greatly. It certainly doesn\u2019t hurt that the people I have the pleasure of working with at PokerStars are some of the nicest, smartest, and most fun I know. I\u2019m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my passion for poker with the world and, hopefully, bring many new players into the game.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n