Abby Merk, the 24-year-old female pro, is quickly making waves in the poker world, not just as a poker player but also as a content creator, bringing fresh energy to the game. From her early days learning poker under the mentorship of Jenny Just to competing in major tournaments and producing viral social media content, Merk has carved out a unique space in the industry.
Recently, she was nominated for the Global Poker Index “RISING STAR IN CONTENT CREATION.” award. Although there is still time to know who is going to win the award, in this report, you will get to know about Abby Merk, from her early life to becoming a content creator.
Abby Merk’s Early Life and Introduction to Poker
There isn’t much info available about Abby Merk’s family, but as per her interview with Business Insider, Merk comes from a business family. Before becoming a poker player, Merk studied mathematics and philosophy at Wake Forest University, which ultimately led to the foundation for her poker career. Besides this, Merk also worked at Jenny Just’s Peak6 as an Option Trader.
She was one of the first students of Poker Power, learning the game under the mentorship of founder Jenny Just, a longtime friend. She quickly fell in love with poker and started playing small-stakes tournaments. In her earlier stage, she faced lots of stereotypes at the table, because of her gender. Merk didn’t hold back and used them to her advantage, learning to adapt and grow in the game.
“When I first started learning to play poker about three years ago, I thought there was more luck involved. I thought it was gambling. But once you dive into poker, you understand there’s always a correct decision.”—Abby Merk.
Abby Merk’s Poker Career Highlights
Merk’s first recorded live cash came in 2021 when she made a money finish in the 52nd WSOP $1,000 NLH Ladies Championship for $2,163. A year later, she again ran deep in the 53rd WSOP $1,000 NLH Ladies Championship for $2,398. In 2023, Merk played a lot more live tournaments and scored a 21st-place finish in the WSOP Circuit Chicago $1,700 Main Event for an impressive $11,613.
That same year, she rounded out a podium finish in the WPT SHRPO Showdown $250 NLH DeepStack Ladies Event for $2,115. In 2024, Merk scored a money finish in the WSOP Circuit Chicago Main Event earning $3,054. Merk concluded the year with an 11th-place finish in the BetMGM Fall Festival Championship at $1,100 NLH for $5,063.
As of January 2025, Merk has earned over $48k from live poker with 19 cashes,as per Hendon Mob.
Abby Merk’s Journey as a Content Creator
When Merk started her poker journey, she always wanted a job in the poker industry to stay involved in the game of poker. So, Merk reached out to PokerNews and joined them as a reporter interviewing poker players. She also began making short content on her Instagram and TikTok page in early 2023 and has been constantly uploading poker skits and short vlogs.
Her most viewed Instagram reel is a comedic skit featuring high-stakes poker pro Tom Dwan. In the clip, she borrows $100K in chips from Dwan, then humorously leaves the table to cash them out. That reel has over 5.9 million views with over 116k likes. Merk currently has over 83k followers on Instagram.
After becoming a successful short-form poker creator, Abby jumped into YouTuber in mid-2024, uploading documentary-style poker vlogs with comedic touch. As of now, her YouTuber Channel AbbyPoker has over 15.5k subscribers. She recently started focusing more on YouTube, with three videos in 12 days.
What Makes Abby Merk a Top Contender for the Global Poker Awards?
Abby Merk has quickly made a name for herself in the poker industry, not just as a player but also as a content creator. Her ability to blend humor, storytelling, and poker strategy into engaging short-form content has earned her a massive following across social media platforms. From her viral skits with poker legends like Tom Dwan, and Phil Ivey to her transition into long-form documentary-style vlogs on YouTube, Merk has consistently pushed creative boundaries in poker media, inspiring the young generation and promoting the game of poker.
Her impact on the poker community has not gone unnoticed, as she was recently nominated for ‘Rising Star in Content Creation’ at the Global Poker Awards. With her growing influence and unique approach to making poker more accessible, inspiring and entertaining, Merk is undoubtedly one of the strongest contenders for this prestigious GPI recognition.
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