Annie Duke biography
Annie Duke was born Anne LaBarr Lederer on September 13, 1965, in Concord, New Hampshire. Her brother is poker pro Howard Lederer and her sister is the author Katy Lederer. She studied English and psychology at Columbia University and later cognitive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, leaving in 1991 before defending her dissertation; she returned and earned her Ph.D. in 2023.
Duke began playing hold'em at 22 and entered her first World Series of Poker events in 1994, winning $70,000 in her first month. In 2000 she finished 10th in the WSOP Main Event while pregnant. Her breakthrough year was 2004: she won a WSOP bracelet in Omaha Hi-Lo and took the inaugural WSOP Tournament of Champions for $2,000,000. In 2010 she became the first and only woman to win the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship ($500,000). Her live tournament winnings passed $4.27 million.
Away from the table she co-founded the Epic Poker League, the Global Poker Index and the charity Ante Up for Africa, and finished runner-up on Celebrity Apprentice in 2009. Today she works in decision education and is the author of the bestseller "Thinking in Bets".
Career summary
A WSOP bracelet winner and 2004 Tournament of Champions champion, Annie Duke is among the top-earning women in poker history and later became a best-selling author on decision-making.
Annie Duke poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship | 1st | $500,000 |
| 2004 | WSOP Tournament of Champions | 1st | $2,000,000 |
| 2004 | WSOP Omaha Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better | 1st | WSOP bracelet |
| 2000 | WSOP Main Event | 10th | Undisclosed |
Verified live tournament earnings: $4,270,000+ from 38 cashes, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
Annie Duke playing style
Duke was known for a disciplined, analytical game rooted in her psychology training, treating every decision as a bet under uncertainty, an idea she later built into her books.
Cash games
Built her early career in high-stakes mixed games in Las Vegas; she has said she has not played regularly since 2012.
Business & sponsorships
Co-founded the Epic Poker League (2011-2012), the Global Poker Index (with Eric Faulkner) and the Alliance for Decision Education; co-founded the charity Ante Up for Africa with Don Cheadle; author of 'Thinking in Bets', 'How to Decide' and 'Quit'.
Why Annie matters
Annie Duke is one of the most successful women in poker history and one of the few players to turn the game into a second career in decision science, teaching at Harvard Kennedy School and Wharton.
FAQ about Annie Duke
Is Annie Duke related to Howard Lederer?
Yes. Howard Lederer is her brother; their sister Katy Lederer is an author.
How much has Annie Duke won playing poker?
Her live tournament winnings were about $4.27 million as of 2021, including $2,000,000 for winning the 2004 WSOP Tournament of Champions.
What is Annie Duke doing now?
She works in decision science, teaches executive education at Harvard Kennedy School and Wharton, and writes books such as "Thinking in Bets" and "Quit".
How many WSOP bracelets does Annie Duke have?
Annie Duke has won 1 WSOP bracelet.
