Maria Ho: The Hardest Working Woman in Poker

Maria Ho might be the hardest working person in poker and despite coming off a week-long vacation in Hawaii for some post-World Series of Poker relaxation, Ho is back on the grind hosting the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open and announced that she joined the World Poker Tour for a commentator role.

“I always try to make some time within the few months following my grueling Vegas poker-playing summer, to getaway and decompress,” said Ho. “For the last four years Hawaii has been my vacation spot of choice – the Wailea area of Maui. The people, the food, the hotels, the pool bars… and of course the beach, help revive and relax me.”

Ho had a long summer, starting with hosting duties during the 2017 Super High Roller Bowl, available on demand exclusively on PokerGO, which led straight into her on-camera work for the WSOP on PokerGO.

While balancing those duties, she also found time to play some poker as well with six overall WSOP cashes. “Poker is such a mental and emotional game,” she said. “Over the last couple years, I’ve noticed at the end of a WSOP summer that my body is tight, sore and actually retains the repercussions of the hours spent at the table.”

“So, on all fronts – physically, mentally, emotionally – to be at my best I have to build in relaxation time,” said Ho. “Hawaii specifically has those aloha vibes and that unplugged, off-the-grid atmosphere that allows me to unwind.”

In the past, she’s scheduled a local adventure or experience during her time away, but recently she’s able to let herself relax a bit more. “I’ve decided it’s okay if I, literally, want to sit by the pool all day or not leave the hotel property for several days. That’s what relaxing is all about.”

On Thursday, the WPT announced that Ho joined Jeff Gross as the commentating team for the ClubWPT King of the Club series. Ho was the first full-time, national TV female commentator with the Heartland Poker Tour in 2013.

“I look forward to working alongside Jeff on the WPT’s great new show,” Ho said. “The King of the Club series provides and exciting opportunity for ClubWPT players to compete under the bright lights of the WPT final table for amazing cash and prizes.”

“The WPT brand has long been one of the most prestigious and well respected in the business,” she added. “I am beyond thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to work on this new show with them.”

But before she steps behind the desk for the WPT, Ho is hosting and playing the 2017 River Poker Series at the WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma.

Working on both sides of the table in poker made Ho more disciplined this summer than in past years. “I had to be much more diligent with my time, sleep and schedule,” she said. “There was a little less fun, late nights and parties, because with people relying on me in other professional facets, away from my own playing at the tables, my health, voice and energy levels are that much more consequential.”

“Fortunately, playing poker alone has never been the sole thing I want to focus on in my career,” added Ho. “Getting to be a part of this year’s WSOP broadcast was such an honor and something I will always accommodate. I think it made me a better player and a more well-rounded professional.”