Maria Konnikova began collecting major poker trophies earlier this year, and she shows no signs of slowing down.
WSOP Circuit Ring Came First
In January 2024, Maria “konnster” Konnikova made her debut in the WSOP Circuit Online and won the $525 NLH Main Event, claiming $57,531 and her first WSOP Circuit ring.
After the victory, Konnikova tweeted:
Went above average.
✅ WSOP ring. WSOP Bracelet up next 😉
No Sooner Said Than Done: Maria Wins Her First WSOP Bracelet
Ten months later, Maria accomplished her next goal: winning the $888 NLHE Fall Crazy 8s event, securing her first WSOP bracelet. The tournament attracted 468 entries, and after firing four bullets, Maria took home the top prize of $68,477.
About Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova is an American writer, journalist, and psychologist, who has also gained recognition in the world of professional poker. Born in Moscow in 1984, she moved to the U.S. as a child. She studied psychology at Harvard and later earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Konnikova is known for her books, which focus on psychology, decision-making, and human behavior. One of her most famous works is The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It…Every Time (2016), where she delves into the psychology behind scams and manipulation.
Her interest in poker emerged from her research into decision-making under uncertainty, which eventually led her to write The Biggest Bluff (2020). In this book, she recounts how she quickly learned poker and became a successful player. Under the mentorship of legendary poker coach Erik Seidel, Maria began her poker journey and achieved significant success, including winning a $1,650 NLH event at the 2018 PCA National, where she earned $84,600.
About WSOP Online Series
The WSOP Online Series runs on WSOP.com from September 29th to November 12th, 2024. It is available to players from New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan, with a total of 33 bracelets up for grabs during the series.
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