Stunning space scientist's £1m poker victory
A BRILLIANT astrophysicist and model has won more than £1million at an internationl poker tournament, with just a pair of fives.
Liv Boeree, 25, beat the best players in the world to become only the third woman to win the European Poker Tour’s jackpot since it began in 2004.
Before becoming a professional gambler, she gained a first-class degree in astrophysics at Manchester University.
She told poker news site Poker Jolt: "Having a degree in that subject helps me with my game as it makes you analytical and think logically,” she said yesterday.
“It’s all numbers, after all.”
More than 1,200 players took part in the tournament in San Remo, Italy, and Liv beat Swedish professional Jakob Carlsson in the final round. She admitted that winning with a pair of fives was unusual. Her opponent was left with an ace and a six.
“The final hand was scary because it was a true coin flip,” she said. “I don’t really like calling on pairs, but I just felt I had the best hand.”
The triumph is her biggest in a fledgling professional career that has already netted her £1.3million.
Liv, who is also a television presenter, added: “Throughout the tournament I had a feeling I was going to win it, but I’m a scientist so I try not to get all weird like that.”
Nicknamed “Iron Maiden” for her love of heavy metal music and her guitar-playing, Liv only began playing poker in 2005 when she took part in a reality show on the Five TV channel. Her previous biggest win was £30,000 two years ago, when she won the European Ladies Tournament.
She plans to spend her winnings on a house in Las Vegas. Liv, from Milstead, Kent, said: “It’s been insane and what I’ve been working towards for four years. I have won tournaments – but never as much as this.
“£1million is not bad for six days’ work. And, to make it even better, I won my place in the tournament for 500 euros and didn’t have to do the 5,000-euro buy-in, so that’s not a bad return on my investment.
“I’m going to be smart with the money and invest in property. There is someone in my life but I’m not sure if I will be sharing it with them just yet.”
Last year Liv’s success led to her being hired by online gaming firm Ultimatebet for its team of professional players.
She said: “Winning still hasn’t sunk in yet. To be honest, at the moment I am more happy about taking part than winning.”
