Canadian Female Poker Players
2025-11-26
The Rise of Canadian Female Poker Players
Discover how Canadian women are breaking barriers in the poker world, achieving remarkable success while advocating for inclusivity.
Kristen Foxen's record-breaking earnings.Xuan Liu's strategic brilliance.Impact on poker community growth.Rise of women's participation.Role models for new players.
Canadian female poker players have emerged as pivotal figures in the global poker landscape, reshaping perceptions and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Over the past two decades, women from Canada have not only achieved remarkable success at the highest levels of poker but have also become influential advocates for gender diversity and inclusion within the game. Their rise coincides with broader shifts in the poker world, where increased media coverage, online platforms, and targeted initiatives have helped elevate the visibility and participation of women.
Introduction
Historically, poker was seen as a male-centric domain, but the achievements of Canadian women have challenged this narrative. Today, Canada boasts some of the most successful and respected female poker professionals, whose accomplishments have inspired a new generation of players and contributed to a more inclusive poker community.
Canadian Female Poker Players' Achievements
Top Players in Canada
Canada is home to several trailblazing female poker players whose careers have set new benchmarks for excellence and influence:
- Kristen Foxen (née Bicknell): Widely regarded as the most successful active female poker player globally, Foxen has redefined what is possible for women in poker. With over $12 million in live tournament earnings, she surpassed Vanessa Selbst to become the highest-earning female poker player in history. Foxen is the first woman to win five World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets—two live and three online—and has claimed the Global Poker Index (GPI) Female Player of the Year award four times (2017, 2019, 2020, 2023). In 2025, she became the first woman to lead the PokerGO Tour leaderboard, a testament to her dominance in high-stakes events.
- Xuan Liu: Known for her strategic brilliance and consistent performances, Liu has earned over $2.5 million in live tournament winnings. She has reached multiple final tables at major events, including the WSOP and World Poker Tour (WPT), and is celebrated for her role in promoting women’s poker through mentorship and public speaking.
- Loni Harwood (optional mention): Although American-born, Harwood has strong ties to the Canadian poker scene and is often cited as a role model for Canadian women. She was the first woman to win an open WSOP event with over 2,000 entrants and has two WSOP bracelets and five WSOP Circuit rings.
Impact on the Poker Community
The success of Canadian female poker players has had a profound impact on the broader poker community:
- Increased Visibility: Their achievements have brought greater media attention to women in poker, helping to normalize female participation at all levels.
- Inspiration and Mentorship: Many Canadian women actively mentor aspiring players, host workshops, and participate in outreach programs to encourage more women to enter the game.
- Community Growth: The presence of high-profile female players has contributed to a noticeable increase in female participation in tournaments, both online and live. According to recent industry reports, the percentage of women in major poker events has risen from around 5% in the early 2000s to over 12% in 2025, with Canada leading the way in several regions.
Notable Canadian Female Poker Players
Kristen Foxen
Kristen Foxen began with online low-stakes cash games, reaching PokerStars Supernova Elite status by playing millions of hands annually. She was the first female to win four WSOP bracelets by 2023 and extended that to five by 2024. Her notable wins include a $408,000 prize at the Poker Masters in 2019 and multiple six-figure cashes across major tournaments globally. Foxen’s dominance includes winning the Global Poker Index Female Player of the Year award multiple times and setting records for female poker achievements.
Foxen is not only a dominant force at the tables but also a vocal advocate for women in poker. She frequently speaks at industry events, mentors young players, and uses her platform to promote inclusivity. Her success has inspired countless women to pursue poker professionally, and she is widely regarded as a role model for resilience and excellence.
Current and Future Trends in Women's Poker
Explore the growing trends and future opportunities for women in poker as female participation increases.
Discover how Canadian female poker players lead the charge in changing the landscape of poker tournaments worldwide.
- 20-30% rise in female entrants in Canada.
- Expansion of online poker platforms.
- Launch of mentorship programs.
- Increased use of AI in poker training.
Xuan Liu
Xuan Liu has made significant contributions to the poker scene, especially in promoting female visibility. Her strategic excellence in poker and active participation in fostering female poker players’ visibility through mentorship and organizing women-organized tournaments underline her commitment to increasing the representation of women in the sport.
Trends in Female Poker Participation
Current Trends
The poker world is witnessing increased market engagement from female players. High-profile successes of players like Foxen have encouraged more women to enter the game.
- The number of women participating in poker tournaments has steadily increased, with Canadian events seeing a 20–30% rise in female entrants over the past five years.
- The expansion of online poker platforms has made the game more accessible, allowing women to compete from anywhere and at any time.
- Increased coverage of female players in mainstream and niche media has helped normalize their presence and highlight their achievements.
Future Opportunities
Ongoing initiatives are helping elevate female players within the industry:
- Organizations like the Women in Poker Hall of Fame and the Global Poker Index have launched mentorship programs, scholarships, and networking events specifically for women.
- Diverse career paths for women in poker include coaching, content creation, and event organization, which are opening up new opportunities.
- Advances in AI and data analytics are creating new chances for female players to develop their skills, compete at the highest levels, and improve their gameplay.
Conclusion
Canadian female poker players have played a transformative role in the global poker scene, achieving unprecedented success and driving positive change within the community. From Kristen Foxen’s record-breaking earnings and historic WSOP victories to Xuan Liu’s strategic brilliance and advocacy, these women have not only excelled at the tables but have also inspired a new generation of players. Their impact extends beyond individual achievements, contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic poker industry. As participation rates continue to rise and new opportunities emerge, the future of women in poker looks brighter than ever, with Canada at the forefront of this evolution.
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We are grateful to our sponsors who support the empowerment and recognition of female poker players globally.
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Poker Association of America
ACR Poker
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Kristen Foxen: Poker's Leading Lady
Explore the historic achievements of Kristen Foxen, the most successful active female player, and her influence on the poker industry.
- WSOP victories.
- GPI Female Player of the Year.
- Role model for women in poker.
- Advocate for inclusivity.
Xuan Liu: The Strategist
Discover Xuan Liu's strategic prowess and her role in promoting female participation in poker.
- Over $2.5 million in winnings.
- Promoter of women’s poker.
- Final table appearances at WSOP and WPT.
- Mentorship and community support.