Vanessa Selbst

Vanessa Selbst grew up in Brooklyn, New York, showing early signs of her competitive nature and intellectual gifts. She attended MIT before transferring to Yale University, where she graduated with honors. After Yale, she earned a law degree from Yale Law School, though poker would ultimately prove more lucrative than a legal career. Her academic background gave her the analytical foundation to excel at high-level poker.

Selbst announced herself to the poker world by winning a WSOP bracelet in 2008 in Pot-Limit Omaha, a game requiring exceptional mathematical ability. She went on to win two more bracelets and became the first woman to reach #1 on the Global Poker Index rankings. Her aggressive, fearless style—playing a game typically associated with male professionals—earned her respect and fear from opponents.

Selbst is known for her hyper-aggressive style, applying relentless pressure to opponents. She refuses to be intimidated regardless of opponent or stakes. Her expertise in Pot-Limit Omaha complements her No-Limit Hold'em skills, and she excels in mixed game formats. She relies heavily on game theory and is known for making bold, unconventional plays that lesser players would never attempt.

Selbst has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in poker and broader society. She has inspired countless women to pursue professional poker, proving that gender is irrelevant at the highest levels. Her willingness to compete in the biggest games against the most intimidating opponents blazed a trail for future generations.

With three WSOP bracelets and over $11 million in tournament earnings, Vanessa Selbst is widely considered the best female poker player in history. Her achievement of reaching #1 on the Global Poker Index is particularly significant. In 2018, she stepped away from professional poker to work at Bridgewater Associates, but her impact on the game endures.