Who is Poker Diva Liz Lieu

Liz Lieu was primarily a limit Texas Hold'em cash game player for a number of years, before making her competitive tournament debut at 2005's World Series of Poker, she turned heads and astonished onlookers when she took 5th place in the first public event of the series, winning $169,500.

Little did they know that Liz is one of the most successful and aggressive players in the Los Angeles and Vegas $400-$800 cash game scenes. Admitting that her first time success got her "hooked" on tournament play.

Though Liz has excelled at limit hold'em cash games for a number of years, she didn't embrace tournament play until the 2005 World Series of Poker. When John Phan encouraged her to enter the $1500 no-limit hold'em event, she ended up in fifth place with over $168,000 in prize money. She went on to place 12th in the $5000 no-limit hold'em event the same year and cashed in the $3000 tournament as well.

The next stop was the Bellagio's 2005 Festa Al Lago tournament, where Liz placed fourth in the $2500 no limit hold'em event and 16th in two other top tournaments in the series, taking home more than $80,000 for less than a week's worth of work. She went on to finish in the top ten spots at the World Poker Finals, Five Diamond World Poker Classic, and the Gold Strike World Poker Open.

Her first tournament win came at the 2006 L.A. Poker Classic at Commerce Casino, where she won the $1000 limit hold'em event. The tournament finishes continue to add to her resume, especially considering that she has earned over $375,000 in less than two years of tournament play and currently ranks as the 22nd all-time female money-earner in poker history.

2006 L.A. Poker Classic at Commerce Casino, where she won the $1000 limit hold'em event. Her second tournament win came when she won the $1000 no-limit event in 2007.

Liz Lieu then returned to the L.A. Poker Classic in February of 2007 and played in the $1000 no-limit hold'em tournament with 450 other players where the first prize was over $148,000. She emerged victorious with the first place trophy and a pledge - as always - to donate 20% of her winnings to charity.

As of 2007, she has earned over $600,000 in live tournament play.

Helping out all the unfortunates back in Asia has always been a huge thing for John Phan and Liz Lieu. Check out Liz's blog for video footage of a visit to the children's orphanage, elder's orphanage, elder's homeless shelter, and mental institution in DaNang Vietnam.

"Those who seen Liz will call her 'The Poker Diva', but those who know Liz will call her 'The Poker Angel'. Those who face her in the poker table will say she is aggressive, but those who face her outside the table will say she is generous. Don't judge her by her petite size, for her heart is as big as the ocean. Don't judge her by her beauty, for her beauty is much more within.
Hope to see you soon again my friend, Singapore will always welcome you with open hands."



"There is a Liz Lieu who is not "The Poker Diva." There is a Liz Lieu who's a quiet homegirl, content to bask in the interaction of family and friends. There is a smiling Liz Lieu who will lug 22-pound bags of rice from a water buffalo-drawn cart into a destitute old woman's kitchen to make sure she has enough to eat. There is a Liz Lieu who's not afraid to take on the lifelong job of caring for a child whose father has died and whose prospects seem grim. There is a Liz Lieu who passes on a double tithe as life blesses her to those whom fortune has passed by. There is a Liz Lieu who admits to her own fears, doubts and failings, but is always there with a word or gesture of comfort when others face theirs. There is a Liz Lieu who revels in the joys, works and accomplishments of others, quick to congratulate and praise. There is a Liz Lieu who extends her hand in friendship with caution, but once extended stands by her bond with the surety of a rock. There is a Liz Lieu who IS my friend, and I wouldn't trade her for any other."



"You are by far the stronger and most sincere girl I've ever met. And I'm not saying it because your my best friend either. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you! You have treated me and been there for me more then my own family. Even though I don't say much about anything to anyone, but I will never forget all the things you have done for me and have sacrificed for our friendship. That is what I love about you buddy. You have a heart of gold and you are always willing to help everyone even if it's to your disadvantages. You so easy to communicate with and you understand exactly what I am going through, even though I may not say a word. I really admire how strong and confident you are. You are so open with everyone and it's very genuine. Many people notice your outside beauty but what really makes you my best friend is the inside beauty you posses. Thanks buddy for being there for me whenever I've needed a friend to count on. Oh and Phu was right! The best word to describe you is Loyalty."

"Liz Lieu...aka the poker diva. That doesn't cover it. More like Liz Lieu aka one of the most amazing people alive. I'm not quite sure its possible for anyone to have a heart as big as this beautiful lady! I've just got to know Liz over the passed few months and she has made me realize really quick how you should treat others and how you should always help the less fortunate. One day real soon Lizzy you are going to make a special guy very very happy and you will deserve to be treated like the princess that you are. I volunteer to be that guy. ha ha. Luv you and your big heart girl!"

"Liz...
The one word that comes to mind when I think about you is "Loyalty". People who do not know you judge you by your looks and automatically stereotype you....I have gotten to know you better and you are one of those special people that is not only beautiful on the outside but you are even more beautiful on the inside. For those who you truly consider as your friends, you are truly loyal giving everything.....Your smile lightens up any day, any place, any room...Thank you for letting me share your life journey with you through your wonderful pictures. I am blessed to have you consider me as one of your friends"

"I always wanted to meet someone famous ever since i started watching Entourage on TV and this past week-end i got the opportunity to do so. I met Liz Lieu Famous Poker Diva and let me tell you! Most down to earth girl i've ever laid eyes on. I had the pleasure of being in her pressence and got a chance to know her for the short time that i was there. I actually met John "Razor" Phan too also a pretty nice guy. Liz is a very accomplished and driven individual who i would definatley put on my list of people to look upto."

"Liz just in case you've forgotten how special you are, let me remind you. I can not even put into words how much I cherish you and our friendship. You have done so much for me and sometimes I feel like I have done very little in comparison. I know you would never see it that way because that is just how you are--you don't keep score of your kindness because your kindness is genuine. When you care about someone, you take on their problems so they don't have to go through it alone. You are so loyal and protective of the people you hold close to you. I feel so lucky and honored that I am one of those people. You have a heart of gold and I know one day, all of your good deeds will come back to you in tenfolds. You deserve nothing but the best because you are the best. Thank you for everything--the long talks, the sympathetic shoulder, the encouragement and support, the shared tears, and the wonderful times. You are truly "priceless"--you are not only my friend...you are my sister. I love you."

Professional poker players are a bit like celebrities in that they are in the spotlight and face a reasonable amount of public scrutiny. Not only are their tournament results analyzed, but their personal lives are the subject of blogs, forums, and gossip columns.

Specifically, female pro players are subject to more than their fair share of public chatter. While most male players are almost solely rated on their performance at the tables, women must face gossip about their hairstyles, apparel, attitudes, love lives, business ventures, friendships, even sexual orientation. It is truly a double standard, though women have never been exactly welcomed into poker rooms with open arms by the traditionally male-dominated cliques. Simply put, this is one of the many hurdles women must overcome in their quest to be seen as equals in poker.

Liz Lieu is no stranger to this aspect of poker. As her reputation as a skilled cash game player has grown over the years, not to mention her current growing popularity and tournament cashes that are causing the poker public to take notice, she understands that this kind of scrutiny comes with the territory. She also has a few things to say about it.

"I really don't have time to read the blogs and forums, but my friends tell me what people say," Lieu says. "It's crazy because these people don't know me! It's gossip, plain and simple. I mean, in a way it's flattering to know that people notice me and think I lead a much more interesting life than I really do. [Laughing] But a lot of the things that are said are just not true."

And one of those things is that Lieu nicknamed herself as the Poker Diva. "I didn't give myself that name!" she asserts. "People who knew me and knew my game did that. They thought it was fitting, and I didn't object. So it stuck around over time, and I use it on my website now."

Lieu is happy to clear the air about some rumors, though she feels that as the public gets to know her better through interviews such as this, there won't be so much speculation as time goes on.