Annie Duke was born in Concord, New Hampshire into "poker family", if
there ever was such a thing - her brother is Howard "The Professor"
Lederer. Annie Duke went to college at Columbia University and studied
Psychology while Howard was already making a living playing poker
professionally. After some lessons from Howard, Annie started winning
some cash games, and noticing her success, her brother then suggested
she try a tournament - and she did, finishing 13th. Annie entered
another tournament and finished 3rd, putting two WSOP money finishes
under her belt. Annie Duke would go on to become the all-time female
money and final table finisher in the history of the WSOP.
Annie
Duke has had over 20 WSOP money finishes, with a 1st place finish in
the Omaha Hi-Lo Split event of the 2004 WSOP. Annie also took first in
the 2004 Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic/WPT event worth
$157,140 and 1st place in the WSOP Tournament of Champions in 2004
taking home a cool 2 million. Annie Duke has made a career of poker
while raising four children, and credits the teachings from her
brother, Howard, for helping her become a winning player - Howard plays
poker online exclusively at Full Tilt Poker and contributes regularly to their "Tips From the Pros" newsletter.