Joanne “JJ” Liu

Joanne “JJ” Liu is a native of Taiwan with a natural flair for cards. Liu reached the final in her first major tournament, the 1996 World Series of Poker Limit Hold ‘em, finishing in fourth place. What makes this feat even more remarkable is that 1996 was also the year when she learned to play poker.

Even outside her profession, Liu’s diligent hands get plenty of exercise. As well as being a talented pianist, she holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, graduating from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Liu moved from Taiwan in 1985 and spent three years in Illinois before moving to Palo Alto, California. Her sister already lived in California and was a major influence in the choice of destination. Liu one day hopes to retire with her sister in Palo Alto. During her stay here, Liu realised that poker was the only casino game she was likely to make long term money from and dedicated her time on these tables.

By the end of 2005 she was widely thought of as the leading woman in World Poker and she justified the praise in 2006 when she became the World Poker Tour Ladies champion. In the heads-up final, Liu defeated Kelli Griggs for her first win on television.

To date, Liu has made over 40 money finishes in major tournaments around the globe including two World Series of Poker finals; however, her first WSOP bracelet still eludes her.

In May 2007, Liu finished second behind Ted Forrest in the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars Event in California. This $600,000 payout is her highest to date and brings her total earnings up to almost $1.5million. Bay 101 Casino is the venue Liu spent hours learning and perfecting her game and, although she loves travelling the world with her job, the friendly local faces and familiar surroundings proved beneficial in this case.

Liu claims her success in poker comes from reading Sun Tzu’s The Art of War which has helped the aggressive side of her game in what is traditionally a male dominated sport. Standing up to men is nothing new for a lady who used to referee football (soccer) games as a past time.

Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Liu is keen to help put poker into the Southeast Asian community just as she has taken parts of Southeast Asian culture and used it to help her poker.

Texas Hold ‘em is relatively unknown in Chinese-speaking countries – Liu herself only learned the game after she moved to America – but it is gradually being introduced through television, film, the internet and casinos. Liu plans to do her bit by holding poker seminars and one day she hopes to play in a major televised poker event on Chinese soil.

Liu is currently married to fellow poker player Dan Alspach. The couple, along with their two children, share their time between homes in Palo Alto and Las Vegas.