Maria Ho, More Than Just a Poker Player
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Earlier today, David "ODB" Baker sent out the following tweet:
1 big reason The River is growing despite heavy competition is @MariaHo she is a great ambassador for @WinStarWorld and reason many are hereFollow @audavidb
Truer words have never been spoken as Ho has been passionate in her support of the WinStar River Poker Series and the number of big names in the poker world that have flocked here is clearly impacted by her role as the ambassador for the tournament. PokerNews sat down with Ho over the most recent break to ask her a few questions.
PN: Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with Winstar? How did it start and how did it get to where it is today?
Maria Ho: It was about five years ago and I was researching tournaments to play and I saw one here with a good guarantee and decided to come out here on my own. I made the trip and found this hidden gem of a tournament. I got to talking with the poker room manager, played the tournament, and after the series was over we continued talking about the potential of being an ambassador and they eventually brought me on.
PN: Poker players think you do a great job and are a key component to the success this tournament has. What about your role as ambassador here is important to you?
Maria Ho: People don't know what a great value this tournament is and I want to spread the word around. I try to my best at representing poker in a good way and I take that responsibility very serious. I wouldn't tell players to come here if I didn't think it was a good value for them. I want poker to continue to do well and thrive and will do everything I can to help make that happen.
PN: What would you say is your greatest poker accomplishment?
Maria Ho: My consistency. I've been able to play for ten years without going broke. I'm still looking for that big marquee win but my game continually evolves and I'm able to adapt as the game adapts.
PN: What would you say is your greatest life accomplishment?
Maria Ho: Being able to provide for my family and friends and work with charities that I believe in. It's good to be able to use some of my success to help others.
PN: When I first interviewed you over five years ago, you said your family didn't like you playing poker. Has that changed since then?
Maria Ho: *laughs* No, no, not really. They are very traditional and still don't like it but they know I've been able to do good with it so that helps some.
PN: Where do you see yourself going from here?
Maria Ho: I'm going to continue playing and want to continue doing other things that are related to poker like my being an ambassador here and being a commentator for the Heartland Poker Tour. I'm open to anything related to poker.
PN: Who are your favorite players to play with?
Maria Ho: Daniel Negreanu for one. He's so fun. I was playing at a table at the World Series of Poker this summer and the table had been quiet for the last two hours... not a word had been said. Daniel moved to our table and he had everyone talking within two minutes.
Also Phil Ivey. I like watching how people play against him. It's fascinating.
PN: Who are your least favorite players to play with?
Maria Ho *laughs again* Basically anyone that is young, looks like they play a lot online, and is aggressive.
PN: Where do you see poker going from here? Is there still room for growth?
Maria Ho: I think there is, especially if poker slowly makes it way back into the United States. It might decline for a little until that happens but I don't think poker has reached it's ceiling.