Barbara Enright

Barbara Enright is an American professional poker player, motivational speaker, and former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Woman Poker Player magazine. She serves as an Ambassador of the Poker League of Nations, the world’s largest women’s poker organization. 

A three-time WSOP bracelet winner and one-time WSOP Circuit ring champion. She made history in 2007 as the first woman inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. With total live earnings of $1,863,127, her best live cash of $180,000 came in May 1996 when she secured 1st place at the 27th WSOP in Las Vegas.

Barbara Enright: Early Life

Barbara Enright began playing poker at the age of four, competing in five-card draw games against her older brother. In the 1970s, she started frequenting poker rooms, sharpening her skills in a more competitive environment.

Before turning professional, Enright worked tirelessly to support her family, holding down multiple jobs as a hairstylist, bartender, and cocktail waitress. By 1976, she was playing poker part-time in cardrooms and discovered she was earning more from the game than from her combined jobs. Enright then boldly decided to quit her job and pursue a career as a full-time poker player.

Barbara Enright: Live Tournament Participation

Enright’s first recorded live cash was in January 1986. She placed 2nd in the $200 Limit Seven Card Stud event at the Triple Crown of Poker Classic in Las Vegas, earning $8,755.

In August 1991, she won 1st place and $45,000 in the $1,550 7 Card Stud event at the 7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady tournament in Los Angeles. A year later, in August 1992, she claimed another 1st place. She then earned $49,600 in the $1,050 Limit Hold’em event at the Jim Brady Tournament in Los Angeles.

Barbara’s 5th-place finish in the $10,000 NLH World Championship. There at the 26th WSOP in May 1995 earned her $114,180.

In January 1998, she secured 1st place and $74,277 in the $540 Limit Hold’em event at the Carnivale of Poker in Las Vegas.

Fast forward to July 2023, Enright finished 4th in the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 54th WSOP in Las Vegas, taking home $62,783.

In a recent appearance, In July 2024, she placed 11th in the $100 Omaha Hi/Lo event at the South Point Summer Dailies, earning $271.

Barbara Enright 3 WSOP Bracelet & 1 WSOPC Ring

• May 1986: $ 500 Women’s 7-Card Stud – 17th WSOP – Las Vegas ($16,400)
• April 1994: $1,000 Women’s 7-Card Stud – 25th Annual WSOP – Las Vegas ($38,400)
• May 1996: $2,500 Hold’em Pot Limit – 27th WSOP – Las Vegas ($180,000)
• April 2008: $340 No Limit Hold’em – Ladies Event – WSOPC – Caesars Palace, Las Vegas ($15,558)