Erin Ness

Erin Ness learned to play poker when she was a child. She grew up in Ocean Beach on the Jersey Shore, where her family used to sit around and play card games for hours: gin rummy, hearts, war and poker. Cards are a very natural thing for Erin, that’s how her family bonded. Growing up, Erin had some fights with her brother; but eventually they found a way to work out their differences through poker.

For Erin, poker has been a lifetime pursuit. She went to college at Georgetown University, where she used to play in three games a week. In 2004, all the employees of Maxim Magazine were invited to play in a company poker tournament. Erin was confident even though she knew her colleagues were regular players. She won this office tournament and its prize, an all-expenses-included trip to Vegas and the $10,000 buy-in to the Main Event of the World Series of Poker .

Her personality and sweet demeanor impressed the rest of the players. She was the third highest female finisher in the Main Event. Erin placed 207th, Lucy Rokach 159th and Rose Richie 98th. She also competed in Poker Royale: Young Bloods, a tournament that was broadcast on the Game Show Network (GSN). This tournament also featured Erica Schoenberg, Mike “The Grinder” Mizrahi, Scott Fischman, Michael Sandberg and David Williams

In the heads-up match, many viewers were surprised to find that Erin could hold her own against David Williams in more than 30 hands. She finished second and gained respect. The network realized that she was suited for television and they invited her to a show called Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages. This Georgetown University graduate currently lives in New York City. She still has her day job as a photo assistant for Maxim Magazine but tries to play poker as often as possible. Erin plans to continue playing tournaments.