Ema Zajmovic is an exceptional player and one of the most beloved figures in the Poker community. She is best known for breaking barriers and making history in the World Poker Tour (WPT). Her journey is inspiring, and her contribution to Poker has earned her several accolades.
Learn about her Poker career and achievements in this blog.
Background
Ema Zajmovic was born in Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina). Due to the Yugoslav Wars, her family relocated to Quebec City, Canada, when she was six years old. She earned a degree in public relations from Université Laval and a master's degree in political communication. Before becoming a professional Poker player, she worked on political campaigns, notably contributing to Justin Trudeau’s successful election campaign in 2015.
Poker Career
Ema Zajmovic’s Poker journey and accomplishments might keep you in awe as you discover them. She began at 19 years old after being introduced to the game by a friend. After seeing the potential of the game, she studied it more. Initially, she played cash games before transitioning to tournaments. She made her first recorded tournament cash in 2011 at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona. Over the years, she steadily improved her skills, making deep runs in various events. In 2016, she played her first World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and later gained recognition in the World Poker Tour (WPT) by reaching the final table at WPT Montreal. To everyone’s amazement, she won the WPT Playground Main Event in 2017, making history as the first woman to win an open WPT Main Event. Since then, she has continued to be a strong contender in high-stakes poker, regularly competing in major tournaments worldwide.
Tournament Achievements
WPT Playground Main Event 2017 – First Place
In February 2017, she won the WPT Playground Main Event in Canada. With this victory, she became the first female player to ever win an open WPT Main Event. The event attracted 380 entrants, generating a prize pool of CAD 1,179,520. She defeated player Jean-François Bouchard in the heads-up battle and claimed the CAD 261,000 first-place prize.
WPT Montreal Main Event 2018 – Runner-Up
In 2018, she returned to WPT Montreal and nearly secured her second title. This event saw a massive field of 792 players, creating a CAD 5,039,840 prize pool. In the heads-up showdown against Patrick Serda, she faced a tough battle. She fell short in the final hand, finishing in second place for CAD 556,000.
WPT Amsterdam Main Event 2018 – Runner-Up
Later in 2018, Zajmovic competed in the WPT Amsterdam Main Event. The tournament drew 207 players, generating a prize pool of €692,310. She had a good run at the event and reached heads-up play against Rens Feenstra. Despite her best efforts, she finished runner-up, earning a payout of €100,260 (USD 120,000).
WPT Montreal Main Event 2016 – Fifth Place
Before her historic WPT title in 2017, Zajmovic made her first deep WPT run in 2016, finishing 5th in the WPT Montreal Main Event. The event had a field of 648 players, with a prize pool totaling CAD 2,199,960. Zajmovic’s fifth-place finish earned her CAD 102,010.
World Series of Poker Main Event 2016 – In the Money
In addition to her success on the WPT, Zajmovic has also competed in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). The 2016 WSOP Main Event had a massive field of 6,737 players, with a total prize pool of USD 63,327,800. Zajmovic survived deep into Day 4 before being eliminated in 929th place. While she didn’t make it to the final table, she still secured a payout of USD 15,000.
EPT Barcelona 2011
Zajmovic’s first recorded tournament cash came in 2011 when she competed in a side event at EPT Barcelona. She finished 9th, earning €1,080 (USD 1,300).
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Ema Zajmovic
- Date of Birth: April 7, 1990
- Nationality: Bosnian-Canadian
- Education: Degree in Public Relations & Master’s in Political Communication
- Poker Debut: 2011 EPT Barcelona
- Historic Achievement: First woman to win an open WPT Main Event
Net Worth of Ema Zajmovic Poker Player
Although her net worth is not publicly disclosed, she has accumulated over $1,230,000 in live tournament winnings. She also generates revenue through sponsorship deals and other poker-related income sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ema Zajmovic’s biggest Poker achievement?
Ema Zajmovic’s biggest achievement is her historic victory in the 2017 WPT Playground Main Event in Montreal. This win made her the first woman ever to win an open World Poker Tour Main Event, earning her a prize of CAD$261,000.
How did Ema Zajmovic start her Poker career?
Ema Zajmovic’s Poker journey began at the age of 19 when she was introduced to the game by a boyfriend. She initially played in small cash games, where she honed her skills in No-Limit Texas Hold’em. Her transition to tournament Poker came gradually, as she started participating in local events before making her first major appearance at the 2011 EPT Barcelona.
What is Ema Zajmovic’s educational background?
Ema Zajmovic has a strong academic background, holding a degree in public relations and a master’s degree in political communication from Université Laval in Quebec, Canada. Before becoming a full-time Poker professional, she was actively involved in political and communication-related fields.
Has Ema Zajmovic won any major Poker tournaments?
Yes, Ema Zajmovic has won several prestigious Poker tournaments, with her most notable victory coming at the 2017 WPT Playground Main Event in Montreal. She has also had multiple deep runs in WPT events, including second-place finishes at WPT Amsterdam and WPT Montreal in 2018. In addition to these achievements, she has cashed in various other renowned tournaments, including the WSOP Main Event.
What is Ema Zajmovic’s playing style?
Ema Zajmovic is known for her aggressive yet calculated playing style. She is not afraid to make bold moves at the Poker table, often applying pressure on opponents with well-timed bluffs and strategic aggression. Her ability to read situations and opponents allows her to make precise decisions, even in high-stakes scenarios.
What are Ema Zajmovic’s future plans in Poker?
Ema Zajmovic continues to compete in major Poker tournaments and is expected to participate in more WPT and WSOP events in the coming years. She has expressed interest in winning additional titles and continuing to be a role model for aspiring female players.
Conclusion
Zajmovic is a Poker wizard. It is not a small feat to win the WPT Main event and inspire a new generation of female poker players. With her aggressive playing style and fearless approach, she is not only chasing more titles but also leaving a lasting impact on the game.