It’s not uncommon for celebrities to join the poker scene, with actors, musicians, and athletes regularly participating in events like the World Series of Poker and live-streamed games.
Recently, actress Julianne Hough joined this roster of celebrity poker players by winning a tournament that aimed to empower women and boost their self-confidence. This special event was organized in collaboration with the women’s card-playing group Poker Power, hosted at the residence of Suzy Welch, a New York University professor and business advisor. The tournament featured notable figures such as businesswoman and Poker Power founder Jenny Just, actress America Ferrera, designer Rebecca Minkoff, producer Desiree Gruber, among others.
Poker Power’s mission is to educate one million women in poker skills that can be applied beyond the card table. This recent tournament was part of their efforts to advance this cause.
According to Jenny Just, “Poker Power is addressing gender wealth and equity gaps by providing a safe space for female-identifying and non-binary individuals to learn vital skills like negotiation, risk-taking, and capital allocation, which are integral to both poker and the business world.”
Poker Power’s organizers believe that traits like risk-taking, strategic thinking, negotiation, and people-reading can be honed at the poker table and applied to various aspects of life, from classrooms to boardrooms. Their website emphasizes how poker skills can be practically used in everyday situations.
To join the Poker Power group and access its training resources, women undergo an application process. Photos from their gatherings capture the spirit of competition, with smiles all around. This aligns with the broader industry trend of attracting more women to poker and emphasizing the enjoyment of the game.
Julianne Hough demonstrated her competitive spirit by emerging as the victor with all the chips at the end of the tournament, although the event did not involve real money. Her competitive drive is evident, having previously won Dancing With The Stars on two separate occasions as an actress and dancer.
