Mimi Tran is one of the most influential women in poker, known for her exceptional skills in high-stakes cash games and tournament play. Despite facing early challenges, including a life-changing car accident, Tran turned adversity into opportunity, carving out a successful career in the male-dominated world of professional poker. From learning the game under the mentorship of Barry Greenstein to securing deep runs in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and World Poker Tour (WPT), Tran’s journey is a testament to resilience, skill, and determination.
Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Mimi Tran was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, and later moved to the United States in 1982. She initially pursued a career in the electronics industry in Silicon Valley. However, in 1989, a severe car accident left her unable to continue working in her field, prompting her to explore other avenues.
Despite not knowing how to play poker, Tran began visiting casinos with a friend and quickly found herself losing money. One day, while waiting for a table, she met renowned poker professional Barry Greenstein. Greenstein offered to mentor Tran in poker in exchange for her teaching him Vietnamese, as he wanted to communicate better with Vietnamese-speaking players at the table.
Under Greenstein’s guidance, Tran focused on cash games before gradually transitioning into tournaments. Encouraged by her mentor, she began competing in major poker events, where she demonstrated exceptional skill and quickly made a name for herself in high-stakes cash games and tournaments.
Poker Career Highlights
Tran’s first recorded live cash came in 1998 when she finished 4th in the 29th WSOP $2,000 Limit Hold’em event, earning an impressive $69,720. The following year, she finished 2nd in the 30th Annual WSOP $2,500 Limit Hold’em event, securing a six-figure payout of $112,575. Two years later, she placed 3rd in the 33rd WSOP $5,000 Limit Hold’em event, adding $53,100 to her winnings.
In 2003, Tran finished 2nd in the 34th WSOP $2,500 Seven Card Stud event, earning $47,700. Her next major score came in 2005 when she placed 4th in the WSOP Circuit $10,000 Championship Event, taking home $189,240. In November 2006, she finished 3rd in the World Poker Tour (WPT) $10,300 Championship Event, securing a career-high payout of $472,228.
In 2009, Tran ran deep in the Bellagio Cup V $15,000 Championship Event, pocketing $125,900. It was her last major tournament score before retiring from tournament poker in 2018. Her final recorded tournament cash was $865 for finishing 128th in the WPT500 Legends of Poker $350 NLH Quantum Million.
Mimi Tran’s Net Worth
There are no official reports on Mimi Tran’s net worth, but it is estimated to be in the six figures due to her successful career as a cash game professional. While she has earned over $1.6 million from 82 recorded tournament cashes, her primary source of income has been high-stakes cash games.
Personal Life
Beyond poker, Tran is a mother of two children. According to past reports, she resides in Los Angeles, California.
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