Maria Ho ’ 05 was a freshman at Marshall College when she heard about a poker night run by a group of friends — male friends . The game was Texas Hold ’ Em , the most popular poker variation , and though Ho had never played a hand , she always had an interest in cards and games of strategy . Naturally , the game was “ guys-only .”
“ They were coy ,” says Ho . “ They didn ’ t want to invite me , and the less they wanted me there , the more I wanted to play .”
Ho refused to take no for an answer . Rather than wait around for an invite that would never come , she forced their hand and invited herself , paying the $ 20 buy-in and winning the first mini-tournament she ever played . Along with the $ 100 payout — a sizeable amount for an undergrad on a fixed income — she earned the respect of the other players . As for herself , she was hooked . 1
If breaking into the boy ’ s club was a challenge , explaining her burgeoning interest in poker to her parents would prove even more difficult . Ho grew up in a traditional Chinese family , where education was of the utmost importance .
“ My parents paid for UCSD and gave me a small allowance ,” she says . “ I didn ’ t have any other income , and was supposed to focus on school .”
Knowing her parents would disapprove , Ho kept her interest in poker a secret from her family during college . Yet it was her family ’ s influence that gave her the initiative to pull double-duty and succeed as a student and a poker player . Ho was only 4 years old when she immigrated from Taiwan with her family , who came to the U . S . with virtually nothing to their name and opened a successful real estate brokerage . 2
“ I learned a lot from them about work ethic and staying motivated ,” says Ho . “ I picked up on their good habits .”
That work ethic would prove essential as poker became a bigger part of Ho ’ s college experience . “ So many nights I would drive to a nearby casino , play all night and drive back for a 10 a . m . class ,” Ho says . “ In college your parents don ’ t wake you up in the morning . Good grades , studying , going to class — that ’ s on you .”
Early on , she made a deal with herself to make it to class and never fall behind , even as the allure of poker grew stronger and she found herself spending more nights in the casino . She was driven by her classmates , she says , who were studious and dedicated . 3 Ho ’ s competitive nature was as useful at the table as it was in the classroom — she made sure to keep up with her fellow communications majors .
Making it to class , however , was about more than just maintaining grades and keeping pace with her classmates . Her studies paid dividends at the poker table as well .
“ UCSD — it was a nest where I was taught how to study , and I brought those study habits to the game , to learn new game theories . More than just textbook information , I think UCSD taught me the methodology of study , and that has benefitted me a lot in my career .” 4
1 . THOUGH BEING THE BEST in the room was the thrill that got her started , as a professional , Ho learned to cut out much of her ego . “ There ’ s a lot of bravado in this game , and what I think has made me successful is letting go of the need to prove myself to others and instead use their assumptions of me to my advantage .”
2 . “ WHEN YOU COME FROM an immigrant background it ’ s very much make-it-or-break-it ,” says Ho . “ My parents worked tirelessly to achieve their dream here , and I learned from them at a very young age that you have to put in the work if you want to see the results .”
3 . JUST LIKE IN COLLEGE , Ho says that discipline is key now that going to work often means going to the casino . In addition to playing smart poker , it ’ s important to stay grounded and avoid getting caught up in the bright lights and fast money of the gaming floor .
4 . “ AS A MARSHALL STUDENT , I took DOC ( Dimensions of Culture ) classes ,” Ho says . “ They were really interesting , but definitely harder than other general education requirements .”
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