By Sean Chaffin
Maria Ho has a foot in both the poker tournament world and in the media. As a commentator and host at some of the game’s biggest events, she offers her insight and expertise for those following the game at home. That duality is on display here at the final table of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown.
As the action plays out live on PokerGO, Ho is one of the stars of the show for in a role reversal from her position as a commentator for WPT’s King of the Club. Either role feels comfortable for this player originally from L.A., who now has $3.6 million in live tournament winnings – and looking for more here in Las Vegas.
“I’ve always done both,” she says of her media and player roles. “I think I’m a poker player first and foremost, and I’ve really embraced this broadcasting part that’s emerged in the last couple of years. But I think at the end of the day, to be a good broadcaster I have to be a good poker player. Making these final tables always helps me stay on top of my game.”
Already with some success on the WPT, Ho won the WPTDeepStacks Johannesburg last October for $69,166. Adding her name to the Champions Cup is now the goal.
Entering the day second in chips, Ho began in a good spot to challenge for the title. It won’t be easy at a final table that includes chip leader James Carroll, who is looking to win his second WPT title. Eric Afriat entered the day on a short stack, but hopes to make some history as the first player ever to win the same event twice.
As players conducted interviews and took photos before the action got underway, Ho spoke about her feelings heading into the final table with such a big opportunity ahead of her.
“I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, there are just a lot of mixed emotions and because of that it gets a little overwhelming,” she said. “But honestly, I’m more excited than anything at this point.”
With almost a month and a half between making the final table and playing to a winner, Ho has taken advantage of the situation and studied some of her opponents. She’s hoping some preparation and her savvy play will lead to her first WPT championship.
“You normally don’t get this much time between playing the last day and the final table to not prepare,” she says. “So I definitely tried to make the most out of my time. I feel like you can always do more, but I also just wanted to make sure I wasn’t overloading my brain too much either. I think I’m in a good place.”
As fans began making their way into HyperX Esports Arena, Ho was predicting a big turnout of her supporters for the final table.
“My parents are here, my friends from L.A. are here, my friends from San Diego where I went to college are here,” she says.
Also on Team Ho and in the arena are Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and other female poker players cheering her on. She believes the contingent brings some nice vibes for women in poker here on such a big stage at Luxor.
“The old guard who are just rooting for me and they’ve always had my back and supported me – they’re all going to be here,” she says. “I think it’s great. Linda and Jan, they’re the people who paved the way for people like me to come into the game. To have them here for me now, that just makes it very full circle.”
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas, and his work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.
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