UK model disappointed by Monte Carlo poker tournament exit
A British model who has an astrophysics degree spoke of her disappointment today after bowing out of a lucrative poker tournament in Monte Carlo.
Card ace Liv Boeree, 25, beat 1,240 contestants to win £1.1 million in a prior round last week in San Remo, Italy, to book a place at the final table.
Manchester University graduate Miss Boeree, from near Maidstone, Kent, was only the third woman to win a European Poker Tournament (EPT) event since the tour began in 2004.
But, despite her career-making win in the earlier round, she dropped out on Day 2 of the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final last night - where last year's winner took home £2.2 million.
Speaking from Monte Carlo, she said today: "I'm disappointed, as anyone would be when they are knocked out of a tournament earlier than they think they should have been.
"But it's such a standard thing to happen in tournament poker. I was getting low on chips, they had a better hand than me - that's how it goes.
"The thing about these tournaments is that only 10% of the players make any money. I was hoping to follow up on my win last week but it just didn't happen, but I had a great day anyway."
She said the day ended on a high after she won a seat at another potentially lucrative satellite tournament in Monte Carlo later this week.
Heavy metal music fan Miss Boeree, a television presenter and model, has been playing poker for four years after working on the Channel 5 show Ultimate Poker Showdown, where she learned to play.
She said: "Even though I did horribly on the show, I fell in love with the game.
"I saw these players who were travelling the world and living these fabulous lifestyles, and I thought that's what I want to do."
Miss Boeree, who lives with her mother and stepfather, notched up several wins over the last three years, amassing about £1.8 million, including the European Ladies Championship, but the million-pound win last week was by far her biggest.
She is known on the poker circuit for her "Liv stare" poker face, which is claimed to unsettle opponents. Just over 100 players now remain in the grand final now, including ex-England footballer Teddy Sheringham.
"I've met many famous people through poker tournaments, including Teddy who is a great player," said Miss Boeree.
"Boris Becker is also here. Poker tournaments attract a lot of celebrities.
"There was a tournament I played in the Bahamas which featured Slash from Guns N' Roses, singer Kelly Rowland and rapper Nelly."
Miss Boeree's parents were unable to fly out to see her play due to the disruption caused to flights by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.
But, speaking at their home in Kent, her mother Elaine Cross said today: "We're extremely proud of Liv and what she has achieved.
"She had so many eyes on her but, despite that, she managed to go on and win this seat at another tournament. She never fails to amaze us and we're just thrilled for her.
"I think she has given the poker scene a boost. People are looking at it from a different angle now. Liv is proof that with some intelligence and determination you can do anything."
