Vanessa Selbst is a renowned poker player, widely regarded as one of the best female poker players in the world. She is a three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and a member of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. After taking a break from the game in 2018, Selbst has recently announced her return to the poker world this summer. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at her career and what we can expect from her return to the felt.
Early Life and Career
Vanessa Selbst was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1984. She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she studied political science before attending Yale Law School. After earning her law degree, Selbst worked as a corporate litigation attorney for a few years before turning to poker full-time.
Selbst’s poker career started in 2006, and it didn’t take long for her to make a name for herself in the poker world. Her first major tournament win came in 2008 when she won the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event at the World Series of Poker. She won her second bracelet in 2012, in the $2,500 10-Game Mix Six-Handed event, and her third in the $25,000 Mixed-Max No-Limit Hold’em event in 2014.
In addition to her WSOP wins, Selbst has also had numerous other impressive finishes in high-profile tournaments. She has won over $11 million in live tournament earnings, making her one of the top-earning female players in history.
Self-imposed Retirement
Despite her success on the poker circuit, Selbst announced her retirement from the game in 2018. In a post on her Facebook page, she cited burnout as the primary reason for her decision. She wrote that the constant travel and pressure of high-stakes tournaments had taken a toll on her mental health, and she needed to step away from the game to focus on other aspects of her life.
“I’m grateful for the incredible experience I’ve had as a professional poker player for the last 12 years,” she wrote. “It has given me the opportunity to travel the world, learn new things, meet amazing people, and make lifelong friends. However, the time has come for me to step back from the game.”
Return to Poker
After nearly three years away from the game, Selbst announced in March 2021 that she plans to return to the poker world this summer. In an interview with Card Player magazine, she said that she missed the competition and challenge of poker and felt ready to return to the felt.
“I’ve had a great three years,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I want to do and where I want to go in life. But I’ve realized that poker is a big part of who I am, and I’m excited to get back to playing and competing again.”
What to Expect
Selbst’s return to the poker world is sure to be a highly anticipated event. Her impressive track record and reputation as one of the best female players in the game mean that she will be a formidable opponent at any table. Her focus on other aspects of her life during her hiatus from poker may also bring a fresh perspective and renewed energy to her game.
It will be interesting to see how Selbst’s playing style has evolved during her time away from the game. She has always been known for her aggressive style and ability to read her opponents, but the poker landscape has changed significantly in the past few years, and new strategies and techniques have emerged. It will be fascinating to see how Selbst adapts to these changes and whether she can continue to compete at the highest level. Her return to the game is sure to generate excitement among fans and fellow players alike, and it will be interesting to see how she performs in the upcoming tournaments. Regardless of the outcome, Vanessa Selbst is a poker legend and an inspiration to many in the poker community, and her return to the felt is something to look forward to.
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