Annie Duke: Poker Pro
Her father Richard Lederer a writer was teaching at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. Her brother Howard Lederer also became a poker pro. Her sister Katy Lederer is an amateur author and poet.
Annie Duke went to Columbus University in New Hampshire, where she doubled majored in English and psychology. She was awarded a NSF Fellowship to attend graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, to study Cognitive psychology. She left school after 5 years to pursue family life with her Husband Ben Duke.
They moved to Montana. While living in Montana Annie Duke began playing poker in the legal card rooms in Billings, Montana. In order to support her desire to become a poker pro Annie Duke and her husband Ben moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to 2004 her main claim to fame was her 10th place finish in the 2000 World Series of Poker, while 8 months pregnant with there 3rd child.
In 2002 they moved to Portland, Oregon. Annie Duke worked for ieLogic, a company that produces software for online casino gambling. In 2004 Annie Duke and her husband Ben Duke divorced. In 2005 Annie Duke and her four children moved to Hollywood Hills, in Los Angeles, California.
In 2004 Annie Duke received lots of publicity, because she tutored Ben Affleck in the game of poker. Ben went on to win the 2004 California State Poker championship. Annie has also been a spokesperson for the online poker website Ultimate Bet since 2005.
Annie Duke’s biggest win was about $300,000 in pot limit Omaha with $200-$400 blinds at Bellagio. Her biggest loss was $110,000 in a $1,000-$2000 mixed game. Annie played in the inaugural $2 million WSOP Tournament of Champions free roll.
Her win in that event placed her ahead of Kathy Liebert as the all-time leading female money winner. Annie winnings are now pushing 3 million dollars. Annie Duke is a true poker pro.
