We were curious about Anca's first steps into poker, how her background as a poker dealer helped her become more successful in the game, her meeting with her husband who is also a poker player, and much more, which you will discover in this article.

Can you tell us about how you first got into poker as a child?

My father was a poker player and a gambler. I was about 9 years old when he taught us 5-Card Poker. In other families, they played monopoly for entertainment, but we played poker.

What was it like learning the game alongside your father? And how he influenced you?

My father was strict and he wanted me to learn it properly. I took it up as a normal child's game, like backgammon, rummy  or chess. It was fun! 

What lessons did you learn from him?

I was able to learn a lot from him: how to observe people, how to read people and how to bluff people without blushing.

What inspired you to transition from being a casino dealer to actively playing poker?

The game itself and the opponents. I had been playing poker for a long time before, but when you work in a casino, you are unfortunately not allowed to play in the same casino! So the decision was easy to stop and play more poker. 

How did your background as a dealer contribute to your poker skills?

Well, I think I saw a lot of people's reactions and actions and that helped me too.

Your husband is both a poker player and a coach. How has his role impacted your poker career?

Big influence... he's really good at it. Through him I learned poker theory, how to behave and of course the right mindset.

What kind of support and advice does he offer?

He supports me through his staking, coaching and love every single day! 

And how and where did you meet with your husband (is there a story behind it)?

I know my husband from playing poker, from home games and Casino, we got close at the cash game table, he took (won) my money!

How do you balance your poker career with your personal life and family? What role does poker play in your family dynamics?

The fact that we are both poker players and our families know what we do is great and we are happy with it. 

How do you continue to improve and develop your poker skills? Do you have any specific strategies or practices that you follow?

I study at home with my husband, he coaches me. I watch past poker videos and I play a lot of live poker.

How has poker influenced your life and career overall? What does the game mean to you beyond just the competitive aspect? Tell me more about what you and your husband are involved in, both within and outside of poker.

Positive influence; Poker is something special, you can travel a lot, meet new people and of course earn money! My husband offers poker coaching and staking. He is also now forming his German-speaking poker community and you can find it at: https://keolepoker.com/. Outside of poker we go cycling, play squash, play in a Jass-club (you also play that with cards, just different) and every now and then we go to parties, celebrate life of course!!

Has poker led you to any new opportunities or ideas, or opened doors for you in any way?

We have a lot more freedom, for example: where we go to play poker and which countries we want to play in. But it is also hard work to stay focused, keep a good mindset and continue to learn about poker, so always keep at it. I am proud of my husband, our marriage and the goals we have achieved! May it continue to be this way and may the flop, turn and river be with us! 

What challenges have you faced in your poker career, and how have you overcome them?

My biggest challenge at the beginning was driving alone to play poker, but over time it became easy and I became fearless and motivated!

Can you share some of your proudest achievements in the game?

A lot of my winnings are not on hendonmob, because I sometimes play under my nickname “Damage”. Here are a few:

• In 2023 I won the Ladies European Championship at the Poker EM in Velden Austria;
• Queens Tea Time at the Herzdamen Festival in Asch;
• WPT Ladies Event, World Poker Tour Prime - WPT Prime Liechtenstein, Gamprin-Bendern;
• In 2024 I won the One Day 30k (Event #9), World Poker Tour Prime - WPT Prime Liechtenstein, Gamprin-Bendern.
• Bigstack Freezeout at Grand Casino Liechtenstein

Can you share a memorable or particularly interesting experience you've had in poker, either as a player or while working as a dealer?

Yes, many poker players are superstitious and most of them, when they get a bad beat, always blame the dealer! Poker players are a little bit crazy.

What advice would you give to young players who are just starting out in poker, especially those who might be learning alongside family members?

If you are serious, then you should/must seek out a poker coach for theory!

What are your future goals and aspirations in poker? Are there specific achievements or milestones you're aiming for?

My goal would of course be to be able to make a living from it and to do even better in cash games and tournaments… practice, learn and again practice!