Vanessa Rousso - Poker Player

Biography

Vanessa Ashley Rousso is a professional poker player and law student at the University of Miami. She is popularly known by her Pokerstars online screen name, Lady Maverick.

Background

Vanessa Rousso was born in White Plains, New York, on February 5, 1983. Growing up, Rousso was a brilliant girl who participated in clubs and hobbies that fascinated her, especially those more challenging to work on. She has also been known for her charitable contributions and volunteer work.

Vanessa Rousso attended and graduated from Duke University. In college, she achieved high grades. After studying game theory, she became proficient with the Rubik's Cube and chess. Later, poker intrigued her and she started learning and enjoying it.

Having to battle against hundreds of good poker players, Vanessa knew that winning was not only limited to a game but also a way to do something huge and "change her stars" and destiny.

Poker Career

Vanessa’s first-ever win in a professional poker event came on June 13, 2005, in Las Vegas during a No-Limit Holdem Summer Series. Rousso now has thirteen WSOP in the money finishes (two in 2010, four in 2009, three in 2008, three in 2006, and one in 2005).

At the 2005 World Series of Poker, she was placed 45th in a field of 601 players. On September 13, 2006, she won $285,450 with a first-place finish at the 173-entrant $5000 No-limit Holdem event at the 4th Borgata Open. At the 2006 WSOP, she had three ‘in the money’ finishes. She finished 80th in a field of 1068 in Event 4, $1,500 Limit Holdem, 63rd in a field of 824 in Event 5, $2500 Short Handed No-Limit Holdem, and she was placed 8th of 507 in Event 30, $5000 Short Handed No-Limit Holdem event.

At the 2009 World Series of Poker, she had four in-the-money finishes & was placed 27 out of 201 in Event 2, $40000 No Limit Holdem. At the 2010 World Series of Poker, she had two ‘in the money’ finishes. Vanessa continues to shoot up in the ranks and has, without a doubt, proven that she could outplay the masses and earn a place in poker history.

World Series of Poker

Besides the above list, Rousso had one cash at the 2014 World Series of Poker Asia Pacific event and five cashes on the WSOP circuit.

Endorsements

PokerStars online poker sponsored Rousso under the screenname LadyMaverick as part of their Team PokerStars, which ended in Feb 2015. On her blog, Vanessa said she participated in the PokerStars swimsuit edition. However, she was featured in the advertisement for PokerStars. In the ad, she wore a bikini bottom and a cutoff wetsuit top, keeping the swimsuit theme.

In 2009, she signed GoDaddy to promote and became the official GoDaddy girl. Their contract was renewed in 2013.

Rousso is considered one of the sexiest poker players in the world. The Bleacher Report ranked her 18th, and Maxim ranked her 20th. She has also worked with American poker players and Forbes.

Non-poker activities

Rousso appeared on the Million Dollar Challenge. She also appeared in Bank of Hollywood as a celebrity judge. She was a contestant in season 17 of Big Brother and finished third.

Vanessa Rousso’s Net Worth

Vanessa Rousso has a total live earnings of $3,554,328.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vanessa Rousso a good poker player?

Vanessa Rousso has cashed over $3.5 million. She is also a former member of PokerStars Pro.

What happened to Vanessa in Big Brother?

Vanessa finished third. The sole vote of her ally, Steve Moses, evicted her.

Did Vanessa Rousso win Big Brother?

No. Vanessa finished third in Big Brother.