Barbara Enright: A Poker Pioneer Whose Legacy Still Inspires
Barbara Enright is a name etched into the history books of poker, not just for her skill, but for blazing a trail where few women dared to go. A three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, Enright has long been a source of inspiration in a game that was, at the time, overwhelmingly male-dominated.
Her legendary poker journey began in 1986, when she captured her first WSOP bracelet in the $500 Ladies Limit Seven Card Stud event, pocketing $16,400. It’s still the win she holds closest to her heart, not just for the prize, but for the story behind it. She hadn’t even intended to play poker in Las Vegas. After placing an $11 bet on a horse named Now Victory at Union Plaza, she turned it into $77. A friend suggested she enter a satellite for the bracelet event. On a whim, and with those unexpected winnings, she took a shot and won it all.
Enright reminisces fondly about what she calls the “golden days” of poker, when rake was minimal, buffets were classy, and everyone at the final table earned a jacket. When she won that first bracelet, the moment was so overwhelming she cried. At the time, that kind of prize money was truly life-altering.
She returned eight years later to win the same event again, this time earning $38,400. Her third bracelet, worth a career-best $180,000, came in a Pot-Limit Hold’em tournament, making her the first woman ever to win a bracelet in an open (non-gender-restricted) WSOP event.
Enright's achievements were formally recognized in 2007 when she became the first woman inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. A year later, she was also inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, cementing her place among the greats.
When asked how it all started, Enright points to her mother, a poker enthusiast who brought home colorful tales from the tables. Those early stories sparked a fascination that would grow into a lifelong pursuit. Over time, Enright says her approach to the game has matured; she no longer plays quite as wildly as she once did.
Surprisingly, she’s only ever read one poker book: Play Poker, Quit Your Job and Sleep Till Noon by John Fox. Its message of freedom and self-reliance resonated so profoundly that she dove headfirst into professional poker. That leap of faith paid off. Barbara has earned nearly $2 million in tournament winnings, traveled extensively, and was often featured in poker publications that even covered her travel expenses for events.
Asked for a lighthearted tidbit, Enright chuckled and said, “I’m not as mean as I look.” Her stamina at the tables is legendary: “I used to play cash games for 40 hours straight. If I’m in the zone, I’d rather keep going.” Compared to that, today’s marathon tournament sessions are easy.
Her third bracelet nearly didn’t happen. Fatigued and running on fumes, she hadn’t planned to enter the event. But with some encouragement and friends who covered half her buy-in, she decided to go for it. The result? Another historic win.
When reflecting on her most formidable competitors, Barbara laughed, “They’re all easy,” before correcting herself with a grin, “They’re all tough.”
Had poker not been her calling, Enright says she would have loved to become a brain surgeon.
She ended the conversation with a quiet smile and a heartfelt reflection:
“Poker has been good to me.”