Nancy Birnbaum is a well-known poker player from New Jersey. She started playing poker for fun with friends, but over time, she turned it into a career. Nancy has been cashing live tournaments since 2006 and has become a regular face in the live scene across the United States. Let’s dive into her early life, poker career, and net worth.
Nancy Birnbaum: Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Nancy Birnbaum grew up in a supportive family in New Jersey, where she was always encouraged to pursue her interests—no matter how unconventional they might have seemed. Her father played a pivotal role in her life, being one of her biggest cheerleaders. His pride in her poker journey became a lasting source of inspiration.
Nancy’s introduction to poker wasn’t part of some grand career plan. Like many American teenagers, she started playing friendly home games with friends. What began as casual fun quickly evolved into something more serious. She was drawn to the game’s strategic depth and psychological complexity.
She began her professional poker journey in 2006 and has since been a regular presence on the U.S. poker scene. Despite the unconventional demands of poker—long hours, high pressure, and constant travel—Nancy has always strived to balance her professional goals with her personal life.
Nancy Birnbaum’s Poker Career Highlights and Winnings
Nancy’s first recorded live cash came in 2006, when she finished 19th in the WPT Borgata Poker Open $300 NLH event, earning $446. Just a year later, she made her first money finish at the WSOP $1K NLH Ladies Championship, collecting $7,256.
Her first tournament win came in 2009 at the Spring Break Poker Classic $340 Ladies Event, where she claimed her first trophy and a $5,250 payout. That same year, she captured her first WSOP Circuit ring by winning the WSOPC New Orleans $550 NLH event for $51,269.
Nancy continued to thrive in mid-stakes tournaments, earning her second WSOP Circuit ring in 2012 at WSOPC San Diego ($365 NLH for $13,122). In 2013, she final-tabled the WSOPC West Palm Beach Main Event, earning $19,276, and went on to win her third WSOP gold ring in New Orleans for $19,875. That same year, she finished 15th in the WPT SHR Showdown Main Event, collecting $22,927.
Her momentum continued into 2014 with a 6th-place finish in the WSOPC Las Vegas $1,675 Main Event, pocketing $41,642. In 2015, she added another trophy by winning the $185 Rio Daily DeepStack for $19,190. A year later, she finished runner-up in the 2016 Coco Poker Showdown $350 NLH for $36,906.
Though the big scores slowed down slightly in later years, Nancy remained consistent. In 2021, she won the WPT RRPO $400 PLO event for $7,460. The following year, she won another $400 PLO event—this time a 6-handed format at the WPT SHRPS—for $11,830.
In 2023, she finished 3rd in the August Big Slick $1,100 event for $22,655. In 2024, she added more wins: $250 NLH Battle at the Beach for $9,100, followed by back-to-back victories in $250 and $150 NLH events at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Recurring Tournaments.
In early 2025, Nancy secured a runner-up finish in the MoneyMaker Poker Tour $186 NLH for $4,000 and cashed in the $3,500 WPT Championship at Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown.
Though she hasn’t yet captured a major title in recent years, Nancy consistently reaches the money and remains a force in mid-stakes events. In a notable move, she became the first woman to sign up for the $2,500 Women in Poker High Roller featuring a $100K guarantee—further cementing her role as one of the trailblazers in the women’s poker community.
Nancy Birnbaum Net Worth and Earnings
As of April 2025, Nancy Birnbaum has recorded over $1.3 million in live tournament earnings across 387 cashes, according to The Hendon Mob.
While her official net worth is not publicly available, it is estimated to be in the seven-figure range. However, it’s worth noting that, according to some members of the r/Poker community, Nancy’s primary income may come from ventures outside of poker. Furthermore, Birnabaum also smartly uses her poker bankroll by selling actions and staking other players.
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