Vanessa Rousso

Vanessa Rousso is an American professional poker player, attorney, DJ, and TV personality from Miami, Florida. A former member of Team PokerStars, she has amassed total live earnings of $3.5 million throughout her poker career. Her best live cash of $700,160 came in May 2009 when she finished 1st at the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final. Beyond poker, Vanessa gained further recognition in 2015 when she finished in third place as a contestant on Big Brother.

Vanessa Rousso: Early Life

She was born in White Plains, New York, and moved to France at the age of three, living there until she was ten. After her parents’ divorce, she relocated to Florida with her mother. Rousso began playing poker at the age of five, but it wasn’t until later, during her summer break from college, that she became serious about tournament play.

She attended Duke University, where she earned a degree in economics in just two and a half years. During her time in college, she developed an interest in game theory and became skilled in chess and the Rubik’s Cube before discovering her passion for poker.

Vanessa Rousso & Team PokeStars

Rousso was a longtime member of Team PokerStars under the screenname “LadyMaverick.” Her partnership with PokerStars ended in February 2015, as part of the company’s broader trend of not renewing contracts with established players. At the time of her departure, PokerStars’ Team Pro roster included just five women out of 30 members, reflecting the declining number of sponsored players in the poker industry.

Vanessa Rousso: Live Tournament Participation

Vanessa Rousso’s first recorded live cash occurred in May 2005 at the Bayou Poker Challenge in New Orleans. She finished in 7th place in a $200 + 25 No Limit Hold’em, cashing $6,465.

Following this, in April 2006, she competed in the $25,500 WPT Championship – No Limit Hold’em, finishing 7th and earning $263,625.

Then, in September 2006, Vanessa placed 1st in the $5,200 No Limit Hold’em event at the WPT Borgata Poker Open in Atlantic City, taking home $285,450.

In March 2009, she entered in a $20,000 No Limit Hold’em at the NBC National Heads-Up Championship. Vanessa ended up in 2nd place, pocketing $250,000.

Later that year, in May, she participated in a €25,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em High Roller Championship at the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final. She finished in 1st place, winning her best live cash of $700,160.

Moreover, in December 2010, Vanessa played in a $10,000 + 30 No Limit Hold’em Championship at Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic. She placed 3rd, cashing $358,964.

In April 2017, Vanessa competed in a $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the America’s Poker Tour Spring Fling Poker Series. She ended up in 18th place, earning $3,086.