It was just over nine years ago when Ashley Frank took home her first live tournament cash. The milestone came in what was the biggest tournament ever held — the 2016 Colossus — and she finished in the top 10% in a field of nearly 22,000 entrants.
A couple of years later she topped that feat by finishing in that same event — this time in the top 5%. Since then, the Arizona native has made a name for herself with multiple titles and cashes totaling $353,822.
She is also making a name for herself in the content streets as 'Pokerface Ash'. You'd be hard-pressed to not find her at one of the poker stops across the Midwest filming one of her nearly 300 vlogs posted for close to 40K subscribers on her YouTube channel.
A new gig
Frank recently announced a new role as BetMGM Brand Ambassador. We spoke to her about it at the Potomac Poker Open.
"I starting working with Above the Felt with Tom Wheaton and he connected the bridge for us to make content for BetMGM. So we are making content and touring their stops, all thanks to Tom," Frank tells us.
Currently based out of Texas, the tournament grinder sees most of her lifetime cashes come from the Midwestern and Southern states in the US — so this trip out East was a change of pace.
"This is my first time here at National Harbor. I've been to Borgata once, but this is my first time out to this spot," Frank explains. "It's really nice out here. The people have been great, the poker staff have been awesome, everything has been running very smoothly."
Staying sharp
Frank had come out to play midway during the week and managed to fire four events. After three misses, she managed to put chips in a bag for the $3,000 Main Event. Catching up with her on the break between Day 1A and Day 2 of the Main Event, she broke down some of her tips and tricks for those in-between times.
"It really depends on how I'm feeling physically because sometimes I want to get a workout in. Today my body is really hurting so I'm probably not going to do anything too crazy and just lounge around and have a lazy day. Just listen to your body and go with that."
The following day, Frank capitalized on her bag from Day 1A and finished in 30th place in the Main Event for $5,905.
'I think the game is growing'
While this stop did see some regulars take home titles (like Justin Arnwine), the majority of the events were won by people taking home their first titles here at MGM National Harbor.
"I think the game is growing in all aspects," Frank says. "Bigger turnouts at stops, record numbers from all across the country, and from the Ladies events standpoint they are getting a lot more entrants. I don't think it's stagnant at all."
Frank is doing anything but slowing down as she gears up for another poker trip, this time down South.
"I'm off to Tunica, Mississippi," Frank tells us. "I'm going to be there for six days and I will hopefully go win a ring. I will likely be back around for the BetMGM Borgata series that they are doing in just a few weeks, so I will be back on the East Coast."
An industry veteran at this point, Frank leaves us with some words of wisdom for those who are just starting out in the industry.
"Know what your goals are," she says. "If your goal is to have fun, then just go and have fun. If you are trying to get better and improve, then surround yourself with people who are better than you. You can subscribe to a training site or get a coach, but don't feel intimidated. If you need support, get connected to the community in a way that makes you feel not alone and you'll feel comfortable to show up."
