The world of poker is dominated by men for the most part, but there are women who have made their mark on the felt. On many poker forums, there has been a debate as to who the “hottest” poker player in the game is – and that debate goes for the men in the game as well. A top men’s magazine, Maxim, has recently taken on the challenge of naming the 20 hottest women in poker, albeit with some liberties taken along the way.
Topping the list are two players who have earned their stripes on the tables and are sponsored poker players in their own right. UB.com’s Tiffany Michelle heads the list. She made her mark on the poker world in 2008 when she was the last woman standing in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Since that time, she has continued to excel at the poker tables and has appeared on “The Amazing Race” with fellow poker pro Maria Ho. Other movie and television credits for Michelle include the movie “Semi Pro” with comedian Will Ferrell and the FX series “Nip/Tuck.”
Along with Michelle, poker professional Vanessa Rousso was included in the 20-woman lineup for “hottest woman in poker.” Rousso, who currently carries a sponsorship with website hosting company GoDaddy.com along with PokerStars, also appeared in last year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Rousso is one of the preeminent women in the game today, with several six-figure cashes in her career that include a victory at last year’s European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo Grand Final High-Roller event and a runner-up finish to Huck Seed at the 2009 National Heads-Up Poker Championship. She recently cashed at the World Poker Tour’s (WPT) L.A. Poker Classic, finishing in 59th place.
Three other women have had or continue to have an intimate involvement with poker as well as maintaining an active career outside of the game. Top model Joanna Krupa is on the Maxim list, as she maintains her modeling career alongside hosting duties for the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT). Former Absolute Poker spokesperson and model Serinda Swan makes the list along with actress Shannon Elizabeth, who has held sponsorship logos with both Full Tilt Poker and DoylesRoom in her poker career.
For those who wonder where 2005 WSOP Women’s Champion Jennifer Tilly is on the Maxim list, she is included along with other poker playing actresses such as Playboy model Jenny McCarthy and former “That 70s Show” performer Laura Prepon. Maxim also puts former “Baywatch” actress Pamela Anderson on the list, the second oldest member of the “hottest women in poker” behind Tilly. Anderson once was the face of her own online poker room, PamelaPoker.com, and allegedly settled a poker debt by marrying her opponent, former Paris Hilton paramour Rick Salomon, in a marriage that was later annulled.
For those who remember the Bravo television show “Celebrity Poker Showdown,” many of its alumni appear on the Maxim list. Academy Award winner Mena Suvari, comedian Sarah Silverman, former “Beverly Hills 90210” actress Jennie Garth, “Austin Powers” star Heather Graham, “Party Of Five” actress Lacey Chabert, “The Office” star Jenna Fischer, and actress Rosario Dawson all make their mark on the Maxim hot list and continue to play in charity events across the country. Rounding out the “hottest women in poker” are Jennifer Love Hewitt, Traci Bingham, and Odette Yustman.
While it may not settle the arguments across the online forums, Maxim’s “Hottest Women In Poker” definitely adds fuel to the fire. Were there any ladies that the magazine missed on their list? Poker News Daily would like to know, so be sure to inform us of who Maxim should have featured on the list and who shouldn’t have been there by leaving a comment below.