MTV’s Love & Hip Hop star Princess Love has taken the poker world by storm! Love is obviously about her coins, putting her poker skills to the test in the 2023 World Poker Tour World Championship. The reality star was one of 3,835 players who started in the tournament. Love later advanced to the final 45.
With this achievement, Love became the first Black woman that high in the competition. She finished the tournament in 40th place within five days of competing.
Love learned to play poker less than a year ago.
“Originally, I just asked one of my cousins to teach me,” said Love during the World Poker Tour live update. “I always wanted to learn how to play poker and chess. And I’m not a gambler by any means, but once I was introduced to it, I don’t know, I was intrigued.”
The reality star shared that she started playing in smaller tournaments in preparation.
“I just did a bunch of dailies and the Wynn tournaments to prepare for the big ones. I’ve never done it — [this is] my first $10k event,” Love added. “I have kind of been just doing the smaller tournaments to get my feet wet and get comfortable. And [this run] means a lot because I’m playing well. I’m not a pro, but I study a lot.”
Love’s husband, Ray J, supports her new venture.
Love’s husband, singer and actor Ray J, has been by her side throughout the tournament. While cheering Love on during the Wynn tournament, Ray J briefly spoke with PokerNews.
“She’s never played in this kind of atmosphere, so we’re here supporting her,” he said. “I’m squatting in the room, coming down and back up. But hey, she feels good. So we might get lucky this year.”
Love won over $130,000 in winnings during the tournament.
After five days of battling, Love finished the tournament in 40th place with $132,500 in winnings. Finishing in 40th place out of 3,835 people is a feat that the star is very proud of. So, it’s safe to say Love will continue her poker journey.
In a Dec. 23, 2023, Instagram post, Love expressed what an honor it was to compete in the championship tournament. She only wants to go up from here.
“What an amazing run for my first WPT World Championship Poker Tournament,” said Love. “I put in serious work and got busy! After five days of battling, I finished in 40th place out of 3,835. What an honor to play amongst the people I’ve been watching and studying.”
She continued: “I’m even more inspired to work harder and push myself to be the best I can be! Anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work! Thank you @worldpokertour @wynnlasvegas @wynnpoker for an incredible event!”
Love hit the poker circuit hard in 2023, cashing in on quite a few competitions. The TV personality won one of Wynn Las Vegas’ daily tournaments in April 2023 for $11,629 per WPT. Also, the 39-year-old finished second in the StormX invitational in late October 2023 and won over $80,000, per PGT.
Love’s poker journey may be her new focus on “Love & Hip Hop.”
Love has been a cast member on Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood since 2014, before moving to Love & Hip Hop: Miami in 2017. Over the years, the show has documented Love’s rocky marriage with Ray J and the life they share with their two children. The last season of Love & Hip Hop: Miami continued to show the couple’s marital woes as Ray J wasn’t initially onboard. Producers now have a different storyline to explore.
With the attention Love has been getting from playing poker, her new hobby may be the focus of the upcoming season of “LHHMIA.” As a result, it would be a positive change of pace for Love’s storyline.
Love seems optimistic about her future in the poker world. In fact, she could take the top spot in the 2024 WPT World Championship. We look forward to seeing how Love keeps honing her poker skills.
What do you think of Love’s new poker obsession? Comment and let us know!
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