Wendeen Eolis

Birthplace
New York, NY

Hometown
New York, NY

Total Winnings
$17,458

Born and raised in New York City, Wendeen Eolis didn't start playing poker until the age of 40. Her long and illustrious career has spanned a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors. With her degree in psychology, she opened the first head-hunting company exclusively devoted to lawyers, then extended that business to include law management consulting. She eventually worked her way into politics and became a special advisor to both New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Governor George Pataki. Wendeen's consulting credits brought her to the casino industry where she advised on private sector and tribal gaming matters, and she served as a casino host for a time as well.

During this period in her life, poker became a sincere passion for her, and she began playing tournaments. She was the first woman to appear at the final table of a major tournament in 1988 at the Hall of Fame Poker Classic, and she was the first woman to finish in the money at the World Series of Poker. Binion's Horseshoe even issued a commemorative poker chip with her name and photo to award her contribution to women in poker.

Continuing to work in various aspects of the poker industry, Wendeen writes and consults for various publications and poker organizations. In addition, she plays poker whenever time allows, considering she has twin daughters and six grandchildren who are the recipients of much of her energy. She also enjoys time at the piano after having studied classical piano for fifteen years.