Top 8 Female Gamblers of All Time
Last Updated on June 24, 2025 by Mary Henderson
Let’s break the stereotype that gambling is a boys’ club.
As a female myself, I find this subject of utmost interest. Did you know women have always been cashing in at land-based casino tables and online platforms?
As a former croupier, now a digital publisher, I also give it a try from time to time, and trust me, it’s not a few times only that I’ve seen moments when female gamblers outsmarted the odds. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
If you’re interested as much as I am in this subject, stay tuned as I reveal the stories of the top 8 female gamblers of all time. Get ready to meet poker queens and blackjack prodigies and how they became legends.
Curious to find out which gambling champ took down male egos on the stage?
8 Most Popular Female Gamblers in History
Over decades and even centuries, women went beyond societal norms and made their mark in the industry. Scroll through this chronological list of the best female gamblers. Discover their preferred games, career earnings, and achievements.
Let’s see whether a female can stand out in a field considered for men (also by men).
#1 Eleanor Dumont
We start with the nineteenth century.
Famously known as Madame Moustache, Eleanor was a legend in the male-dominated industry. The first professional female blackjack player in America was putting her mark on gambling.
Her game of choice was vingt-et-un (21), the French predecessor of modern blackjack. She managed to achieve impressive success in her gambling activities, even opening several gambling establishments in California and South Dakota. It was her reputation as a fair dealer that brought players’ attention to her business.
As for the game, Eleanor was known for her exclusive dealing skills and her ability to stay calm in high-stakes situations. Although her life was full of ups and downs, her skill and resilience made her one of the top female gamblers of all time.
#2 Lottie Deno
Carlotta Thompkins, aka Lottie Deno, is one of the most famous female gamblers of the Wild West of the 19th century. Coming from Kentucky but landing in Texas, she became popular as a first-class gambler with her newly acquired name.
Her go-to game was poker, and she had this irresistible composure when playing. Not once did she let her emotions get in the way. Her sharp attitude is what made her a real opponent for other players. He was also known as the Queen of the Pasteboards.
While I don’t know the exact figures she earned during her gambling career, it’s clear she made a living from this. Her success also allowed her to contribute to her community through donations. Lottie showed that determination and skill can take you a long way.
#3 Alice Ivers Duffield Tubbs Huckert
Or simply, Poker Alice.
We’re still in the 19th century. Another female figure stood out in the poker industry in the Old West. She was actually born in England but moved to Virginia.
This story begins quite differently. Alice received a refined education, but everything took a wild turn when she met her future husband, who introduced her to table games. The circumstances made her take the poker table to make a living.
Her main feature was the ability to count cards and figure odds, which made her a solid opponent. It was her sharp mind and strategic style that made her quickly earn her new nickname. If there is one thing known for sure, Alice was playing to win, not for fun.
There is another skill she used to play, which no man could ever have – her charm. She usually played while dressed in the latest fashion. She knew what she was doing by keeping men off their game.
Not sure what the exact figures are, but Alice is known to have earned over $250,000 throughout her gambling career. Translated to today’s money – millions. And it was not only about her winnings that made her personality. Alice had some pretty strong principles. A combination of different personality traits made her take the lead in a male-dominated industry.
#4 Judy Bailey
The fabulous First Lady of Gambling of the 20th century was from Texas. Unlike the other female gamblers on the list, Judy was a very creative person with degrees in music and English.
She ventured into the casino world with her husband from California. Together, they opened the Hacienda Hotel and added a casino. Later, she became the first lady to own a Nevada resort, which was a big deal back then, even for a man. She was both a successful gambler playing various casino games and a casino owner. Judy was later more interested in promoting her casino rather than playing at tables. By the way, she was the first to introduce live keno to Las Vegas.
Beyond the glitz and glam, furs and jewels, Judy was known for her philanthropy. There is even a Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada. Her legacy in history and charitable activities is an inspiration to this day.
#5 Cat Hulbert
Cat was born in 1950. She went through college and even worked for the New York State Senate. And here is the plot twist. At 25, she packed all her things and went to Las Vegas, where she started as a blackjack dealer. Card counting was her passion.
But here is the interesting part – she was so good at card counting that she got banned from more than 150 casinos and even arrested for trying to sneak in.
Later, she switched to poker and learned from the best. In 1996, she was named one of the top seven-card stud players, and she was the only woman. Cat was also known as the best female gambler in the world.
What really made her stand out in the field? Well, Cat was a pro at reading her opponents. She was firm about the idea that women have that skill men will never embrace, the so-called natural edge in poker – intuition. Unfortunately, I don’t know the exact sum she won during her career, but it was definitely big. One of her biggest wins was a $47,000 payout.
Cat went further and started teaching classes for women about gambling with the sarcastic name “Outplaying the Boys”. Those were tips for competitive women to step into the gambling industry.
#6 Vanessa Rousso
Aka Lady Maverick.
Vanessa was born in 1983 in New York State. She’s a real boss in the poker industry. The new female figure in gambling started playing poker in 2005 and quickly became a popular player. What really set her apart was an analytical approach, strategic vibe, and impressive instincts.
From achievements – first place at the Borgata Poker Open in 2006, another premium finish at the European Poker Tour High Roller Championship in 2009, and winning participation at 17 World Series of Poker events.
As for now, her live tournament earnings go over $3.5 million. And it’s not all about the money; she also shows other women that poker is not just for boys. After all, Vanessa is a licensed attorney, plus a DJ, and even made it to reality TV. That’s a multi-talented queen in full beauty.
#7 Vanessa Selbst
Another Vanessa, what a coincidence.
I’m sure you’ve heard about Vanessa Selbst, the legend on the poker scene. As a female poker fan myself, I cannot help but admire her skill.
Vanessa was born in 1984 in Brooklyn. She’s known for being the first female to ever take the first spot on the Global Poker Index.
Her game of choice is No-Limit Hold’em, which allowed her to reveal her full potential and aggressive style. No kidding, her strategic play and confidence made her over $11.9 million in earnings. Plus, she already has 3 World Series of Poker bracelets.
The most impressive win was the back-to-back titles at the North American Poker Tour in 2010 and 2011, the first in poker history.
By the way, Vanessa is a Yale graduate in political science and a JD from Yale Law School. She now has a new career as a trader.
#8 Ema Zajmović
The youngest on the list was born in 1990 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to Canada.
With a master’s degree in political communication and a career in public relations, Ema still pursued a professional poker career. She is the first woman to win an open World Poker Tour Main Event in 2017.
Her bold playing style, focused on pushing boundaries, earned her over $1.2 million. Ema is also known for shows like “Poker After Dark” and “High Stakes Poker,” where she shares her skills with the audience.
Going through the stories of these 8 most popular female gamblers of all time made me realize that women are more than capable of performing in fields that were long thought to be for men only. Besides their gambling careers, most of them have degrees in various fields.
As for the game, women seem to be more reflective and intuitive, which is a very useful skill in the industry. Not least, note that most of these women donated part of their earnings to charitable causes. So it’s not about money, after all.
This article is written by Mary, a seasoned professional with a rich background as a casino croupier now transitioned into a digital publisher with a keen focus on the online casino scene. With years of firsthand experience on the casino floor, Mary offers her unique perspective to the digital world of gambling.
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