Episode 14: Maria Ho

Maria Ho, a Hall of Fame professional poker player and award-winning TV broadcaster and strategic commentator who has amassed over $5,000,000 in live and online poker tournament earnings. She was born in Taipei, Taiwan and immigrated with her parents to the USA when she was four-years-old. She attended the University of California, San Diego and graduated in 2005 with a major in Communications and a minor in Law. She pursued her passion for music and performing as a member of UCSD’s Acapella group (the D.O.T.s). She also performed in several musicals, including The Marriage of Figaro and Anything Goes.

Today, Maria is one of the most recognized and successful poker pros in the world. In 2011, she became the #2 ranked female player worldwide and as of 2025 is ranked #2 on the World Series of Poker’s All-Time Women Money Earners.

Outside of poker, Maria is also involved in charitable pursuits, dedicating substantial time to volunteering and marking her presence at fundraisers and red-carpet events. Her current life chapter is a harmonious mix of poker, music, business, and philanthropy.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Maria Ho

03:14 Breaking into a Male-Dominated Poker World

08:52 The Mental Game: What it Takes to Compete at the Top

13:37 Women at the Table: Advocating for Representation in Poker

19:45 How Poker Strategy Reflects Life Strategy

24:11 Embracing Risk and Navigating Uncertainty

30:09 The Art of Reading People—On the Felt and in Life

36:45 Handling Losses, Setbacks, and the Long Game

42:28 Balance, Identity, and Staying Grounded in a High-Stakes World

49:06 Final Reflections from Maria Ho