After representing various online poker platforms, chess sensation Alexandra Botez has found a permanent home as the newest ambassador for GGPoker. In a lively event in Las Vegas, Botez was officially welcomed by the face of GG, Daniel Negreanu, through a friendly heads-up duel.
Botez reminisced about her introduction to poker, which stemmed from her father teaching her the game during her childhood. She mentioned her admiration for Negreanu, citing their shared Romanian-Canadian heritage as a bonding factor. Moreover, Botez disclosed her recent engagement in poker coaching, highlighting Landon Tice and Chance Kornuth as her mentors. Throughout the duel, she implemented strategies learned from Tice’s teachings.
During the conversation, Negreanu queried Botez about her preference between poker tournaments and cash games. Botez expressed her inclination towards tournaments, drawing parallels between the strategic depth of chess tournaments and poker tournaments. She also confirmed her participation in the upcoming 2024 World Series of Poker, expressing eagerness to tackle a full schedule of events.
For those interested in watching the friendly battle between Daniel and Alexandra, you can watch it in the video at the end of the article. The discussion also delved into the state of online poker, recent controversies surrounding GGPoker, and other hot topics like mask-wearing at the table and ladies-only poker tournaments.
Alexandra Botez is a prominent figure in both the chess and poker communities, boasting an impressive career in both disciplines. Born in Dallas and raised in Vancouver by her Romanian parents, Botez gained recognition for her exceptional chess skills early on, earning titles such as Woman FIDE Master and Woman International Master.
Alongside her sister Andrea, she hosts the popular BotezLive show on Twitch and YouTube, captivating audiences with her insightful commentary and engaging gameplay.
Botez has made appearances on Hustler Casino Live and has taken part in the likes of the European Poker Tour. Her poker career albeit still in its infancy, has seen remarkable success. In 2023, in the $550 NLHE Hyper Turbo Freezeout event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Botez had his first-ever live tournament win.
As she continues to excel in both disciplines, Botez’s path forward promises to be filled with even greater achievements and exciting opportunities.