Monika Zukowicz might be a new name to many poker players, especially outside of her home country of Poland. However, she is an up and coming poker streamer on Twitch and player with a smile that is infectious to anyone she comes into contact with. She seemed like a confident and well-seasoned poker player on the first televised table of the festival Monika Zukowicz and shared with PokerNews a bit about herself and her thoughts about the 2017 Cash Game Festival Gibraltar.

Zukowicz's journey into poker began five years ago when she was a pharmacy student. It all started when she learned a friend of her best friend was making very good money playing poker.

"If he is making that much money playing poker, I am going to be a super rich girl," Zukowicz explained about her thought process when she was 18 years old in 2007. "After it turns out, it isn't that easy. But, I am stubborn so I decided to give it a go at it."

She shared that the studies were difficult and it wasn't a raw five years of immersion into the game. Around exam time, Zukowicz explained that months would go by at one time without playing a single hand.

She recently graduated and which freed her up to play online poker whenever she wants and also attend live events.

After a great experience in Las Vegas last summer as a Betsafe representative, she decided that she wanted to extend the relationship. Betsafe felt the same and Zukowicz was brought aboard on a more permanent basis as the company's poker ambassador in January.

Zukowicz shared that being an ambassador is both fun and hard work.

"I am streaming poker three times a week mostly on the Betsafe channel," said Zukowicz. "I am sometimes trying to add some crazy games such as five-card draw. So not only the regular tables. Recently, I started participating in live events so I am not just a face on the Internet."

As a Betsafe ambassador, Zukowicz has now attended many poker festivals. However, until recently, she never realized that there were festivals also catering to cash game players instead of tournament players.

"I found out about the Cash Game Festival about two weeks ago when I was participating in the MPN Poker Tour Malta," said Zukowicz. "During that event, I met people from the Cash Game Festival and I decided to check it out and come here to Gibraltar."

"I am really enjoying this event," said Zukowicz. "You can leave the table whenever you want and talk with people. While tournaments are very different and more stressful."

On the first day of the festival, Zukowicz appeared on the feature table. Despite streaming during most weeks her online action three-times per week, she was a bit nervous about appearing on the feature table in a live poker setting.

"However, when I sat on the TV table for the first time on Day 1 I was a little stressed," said Zukowicz.

Despite her nerves, Zukowicz was able to focus on her game and turn a little bit of profit. She was more relaxed after the session was over on the side table and while enjoying the company of her opponents was able to double her stack.

Zukowicz has been witnessed having a great time playing poker. But the social aspect attracts her even more than the great action on the tables.

"I love the format of the Cash Game Festival and how it is also social. For example, earlier in the festival we took a boat trip and saw some whales and dolphins," Zukowicz said. "That was awesome. While tournaments end in the middle of the night, so they are not likely to participate in such an event. Tournaments are more into the game and resting right afterward at the hotel. Where here we are more about getting an experience and having a good time."

This is part 1 of 2 of our exclusive interview with Zukowicz. Stay tuned to tomorrow's coverage to learn more about the Polish poker sensation and her experiences.

You can also follow Monika via the social media below:

• Facebook - HeyMonia
• Instagram - heymonia
• SnapChat - ja_monia
• Twitter - HeyMonia
• Twitch - betsafe

Tags: Cash Game Festival GibraltarMonika Zukowicz