Best-Selling Author Maria Konnikova Returns as PokerStars Brand Ambassador

Maria Konnikova, author, journalist, and poker player who was the first woman to win a PokerStars Platinum Pass at the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, has been announced as a returning PokerStars ambassador in North America.

Inspired by game theory and coached by Erik Seidel, Maria spent a year playing on the live poker circuit, hardly knowing a thing about poker, in a mission to write a book about her experience. Since then, she has published her New York Times best-selling book ‘The Biggest Bluff’ and become a poker tournament champion, with over $450,000 in career earnings. Maria was a PokerStars ambassador back in 2018, and PokerStars are delighted to announce her return.

Steve Preiss, VP, PokerStars North America commented: “Maria's ability to communicate the virtues of poker is unrivalled. She will be integral in our goal of expanding the game to new audiences.”

Maria said, “I'm very happy to once again be joining the PokerStars team as an ambassador. Poker is a game of skill that can teach us so much about our minds and ourselves -- and I can't wait to share my passion for it along with the incredible team at PokerStars. I'm quite excited for the vision that PokerStars has for U.S. expansion and am thrilled to play a small part in helping the world appreciate the true beauty and promise of a game I have come to love.”

Maria is set to be attending the North American Poker Tour in November and will be playing in the USCOOP and Ten-Deuce freeroll as a PokerStars Ambassador.

About Above the Felt Entertainment

Above the Felt Entertainment is today’s leading poker marketing, entertainment, and talent agency. Founded in 2021 by Tom Wheaton, the company focuses on connecting poker players, fans, and businesses across industries through its exclusive roster of talent, modern-day strategic marketing, and innovative entertainment services. For more information and to book top poker talent, visit abovethefelt.com/.

About PokerStars

PokerStars operates the world’s most popular online poker sites, serving the global poker community. Since it launched in 2001, PokerStars has become the first choice of players all over the world, with more daily tournaments than anywhere else and with the best online security. More than 200 billion hands have been dealt on PokerStars, which is more than any other site. PokerStars is ultimately owned by Flutter Entertainment plc. (LSE: FLTR; EURONEXT: FLTR).