Clonie Gowen

Cycalona Gowen, more commonly referred to as Clonie, was the last of six children born into her family. Gowen, whose name was chosen because she was delivered during a storm, was raised in Kiowa, Oklahoma, before moving to Corsicana, Texas, in her teens.

Gowen’s father passed away when she was just 11 leaving her mother to raise their children alone. As well as working as a waitress, her mother studied nursing at college and her determination to finish the course against the odds made her the perfect role model for Gowen to follow.

Growing up, she was highly successful in many areas of her life: she was a member of the state championship basketball team; she was placed seventh in the state high jump event and, aged 15, she was crowned Miss Teen McAlester, Oklahoma.

Living in Texas, Gowen was introduced to Seven Card Stud and Hold ‘em by her boyfriend-at-the-time’s parents. As soon as she was old enough she visited Las Vegas but she blew her $40 bankroll on the 10c ante Seven Card Stud. Luckily this didn’t put Gowen off the game completely and she was soon travelling through to Shreveport, Louisiana, regularly making hundreds of dollars each weekend. Gowen exploited the fact that men would often see an attractive young lady at the table and expect easy winnings from her.

In 2003 she finished in the top 10 in the World Poker Tour Costa Rica Classic and she stayed in the Central American country for her first major win: at WPT Ladies Night. As a keen scuba diver, Costa Rica is a favourite holiday destination for Gowen and the chance to play cards there was too great an opportunity to miss out on. She had to overcome the likes of Jennifer Harman and Annie Duke on her way to victory as she showed the world she was more than just a pretty face.

Gowen has continued to impress at the felt. In 2005 she finished seventh in the $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em Ultimate Poker Challenge tournament before upping her game and coming in third in Las Vegas in the FullTiltPoker.net Championship. The following year showed it was no fluke as Gowen ended third in the FullTiltPoker.net Pro Showdown. Her talents, however, stretch far beyond playing poker.

When not at the table, Gowen is one of the most sought after commentators who has covered the Ultimate Poker Challenge and the European World Poker Championship amongst others. She’s also a prominent poker writer with regular columns in All In magazine and Bluff, World Series of Poker’s official publication. On top of all this Gowen also sits on the board of directors for the United States Poker Association.

Outside the poker world, Gowen owned a travel agency but gave that up to spend more time playing poker and relaxing with her husband, David, and two children, Morgan and Seth.