Dawn Lucarelli took a break from the felt to chat with PokerNews about her poker journey, her table, and her hopes of bagging as chip leader heading into Day 2.

Lucarelli has been playing for over 20 years, first learning the game as a kid, saying, "My mom worked three jobs, we played with her nickels and pennies. We played all the cards, seven card no peek, stud, all of it." A trip to Vegas years later brought her back to the felt for good. "I realized blackjack was a crappy game to play. So I got back to my roots of poker... and I haven't turned back since."

Away from the tables, Lucarelli built a career in education, eventually becoming associate superintendent of schools in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, before retiring and opening her own coaching and consulting business two years ago. "It gives me more flexibility to do the game I love," she said. These days, she's especially passionate about teaching other women to play poker. "That's a really core value for me," Lucarelli added.

As for her table today, Lucarelli isn't one to see anyone as a villain. "I'm a really positive person, so I don't see anyone as a villain. I see everyone as a player that plays their game, and I'm very respectful of the way people play. It's been a tough table, some really good players, some recreational players, but everyone's not afraid to get it in. Everyone's taking risks. It's fun, it's a great table."

And, finally, on her hopes for today: "I had a big double-up right before the break, that always makes you feel good going into the latter part of the tournament. I'm ready to go in as chip leader Day 2."

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If you end up playing with Dawn this week at PSPO, you can't say PokerNews didn't warn you she's a shark!

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