Maria Konnikova is a renowned psychology author, television producer, poker player, podcaster and the PokerStars ambassador. She made big headlines this year for her first-ever WSOP bracelet victory.
Konnikova, a Russian-born and Massachusetts-raised author, has an impressive resume. She started her career as a TV producer and later went on to become a New York Times bestselling author. Her life took a turn after she delved into the world of poker, fascinated by the psychological aspects of the game.
This report will delve into Konnikova’s early life, poker earnings, and also a look at her writing career.
Early Career and Getting Into Poker
Maria Konnikova, a Harvard and Columbia alumna with a Ph.D. in psychology, has made a name for herself as a bestselling author and researcher before entering the poker stage.
Her love for psychology, narrative, and research made her write Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes and The Confidence Game, which garnered widespread acclaim, frequently appearing on bestseller and award lists.
Konnikova’s fascination with poker stemmed from her interest in John von Neumann’s game theory, which inspired her to explore poker as a lens for understanding the interplay between skill and chance in human decision-making. In an interview, she revealed that she was motivated to play poker because of the psychological dimensions of the game rather than the gambling part.
Her journey into the poker world began more than six years ago as research for her bestselling book, “The Biggest Bluff.” What started as an academic endeavor quickly transitioned into a passion for poker and there has been no looking back since then.
In 2016, she met legendary player and 10-time bracelet winner Erik Seidel, who became her mentor and coach.
Poker Career Highlights and Earnings
After being mentored by Seidel, she started her journey into poker and scored her first cash in 2017. That year, she also scored some cash finishes in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, and the PokerStars Champion poker festival tournaments. She kicked off 2018 with a victory in the PokerStars $1,500 PCA Paradise National for a massive payout of $84,600. She followed that victory up with a runner-up finish in the APPT Macau for $57,519.
Between 2019 and 2023, Konnikova scored several cash finishes at the World Series of Poker. Her next big deep run came in 2023 when she finished 7th in the PCA BSOP Main Event for $13,650. She continued making cash finishes in poker tournaments, though she did not win big.
In January 2024, Konnikova scored her first-ever World Series of Poker Circuit Ring in the Online Ring Event #10: $525 No Limit Hold’em – Main Event for a payday of $18,700. In March 2024, she scored a third-place finish in the Online Ring Event #14: $320 No Limit Hold’em – 6-Max, falling short of her second circuit ring, earning $10,007 in prize money.
Konnikova continued her momentum with a runner-up finish at the EPT Monte Carlo NLH Event for a staggering $55,629. Her recent big cash includes a 5th place finish in the EPT Barcelona Mystery Bounty Event for a career-best payday of $93,700.
In October 2024, Konnikova finally won her first-ever bracelet in the WSOP Online U.S Domestic Event #12: $888 NLHE Fall Crazy 8’s, earning $68,477. Fresh off from her bracelet victory, she then made a 14th place finish in the NAPT Las Vegas Main Event for $39,550, pushing her career earnings to nearly $800k.
Other Ventures
Besides playing poker and writing, Konnikova is a popular podcaster, who hosts the “Risky Business Podcast”, a podcast guiding people on risky decisions that can change or break a life. She is also part of PokerStars as an ambassador. She first joined the PokerStars Team in 2018 and then rejoined the poker platform as the ambassador in 2023.
Keep following PokerProNews for more such inspiring stories from the world of poker!
Images Courtesy of Joe Giron/Rational Intellectual Holdings Limited/Neil Stoddart
