A little over ten years ago, Laurel Moran’s life took an unexpected turn after a devastating head-on collision changed everything she envisioned her future would be.
Moran’s heartfelt and arduous road to recovery, including how poker became a fortuitous lifeline, came into the spotlight recently as part of True Classic’s 'Tell Us Your Story' giveaway for a seat in this week’s Rags to Riches PokerGO event.
True Classic’s call to action sought recreational players who have the ‘grit, guts, and the journey that brought them to the table.’
Moran’s story apparently struck a chord with the popular apparel brand. She captured the PokerGO studio seat and also a chance to win a $30,000 WSOP Paradise package to compete in the Super Main Event, awarded to the eventual Rags to Riches winner. A package Moran came achingly close to winning when she was a top-10 video in the recent PokerOrg challenge.
PokerOrg caught up with the now Las Vegas resident to discover more about her poker journey, in addition to her excitement to play at PokerGO Studio this week.
'I have to feed my family'
Congrats! You won the contest from True Classic to gain entry into the Rags to Riches event this week. Are you excited?
I am. I consume any and all poker content because I thoroughly love it. I watch PokerGO streams as much as I possibly can. I wanted so badly to play there. It’s been one of my poker dreams.
When did you find out about the True Classic giveaway – ‘Tell Us Your Story’?
It was while I was watching a PokerGO stream.
I submitted my story, and it apparently resonated with them. I ended up winning one of 15 seats. I'm so excited for the opportunity to play in the studio and be among some of the people I've been watching for years. I can't wait.
In your story to True Classic, you talked about having to feed your family by playing poker after the horrific car accident. Can you share more on that part of your journey?
I have been dealt some difficult hands in my life. I don't necessarily agree with the ‘everything happens for a reason’ type thing, but I do fully believe that everything that has happened in my life has molded me and shaped me into the person that I am today.
When my back was up against the wall, because of my car accident, I really wasn't able to work an actual job.
Playing poker was something I felt competent enough to do to put food on the table. I didn't have a choice. When you're faced with no choice, you just suck it up and do it.
Poker just so happened to be something that I really, really loved. I think I'm pretty good at the game.
It was like, ‘I'm going to play poker today. I have to feed my family. I have to pay the electric bill.’ It was non-negotiable.
Moran jumped to the featured table on Day 1B of the Rags to Riches tournament. 
'Mindset is one of the most important things'
When did you make the move from Michigan to Las Vegas?
While my fiancé stayed behind to wrap up the house, I drove across the country last fall.
I drove the U-Haul with my dog and everything. It was an exhausting trip. I actually had my car break down in Wyoming, and had to get a rental car and a new U-Haul.
Do you prefer cash or tournaments?
Tournaments are the whole reason why I moved to Vegas. I enjoy seeking out the best structure and the best environment.
I love to play where there is positivity and really good energy. That is why I love the Venetian poker room. I love the dealers and the staff. When I walk into their new room, it's so bright and welcoming. That's my home.
What’s your approach to studying and improving your game away from the tables?
I think that it needs to be a beautiful marriage of both intuition and the use of solvers as a study tool. I think, especially as women, we talk about women's intuition. I think that's a skill set that we really do need to embrace.
It's important to study every aspect and find a way to marry solver study with exploitive play and intuition to create your best game. It's not necessarily a 50-50, but I do like a good hybrid of both.
How do you get your mindset right to play day after day?
Mindset is one of the most important things that any poker player can really focus on.
In the last few years, I found meditation. That’s really helped me learn more about myself and how to use breathwork and visualization to play my best game.
Since moving to Vegas, do you have any mentors or new friends that you seek advice from?
I have so many. Christina Gollins has kind of taken me under her wing. I really appreciate her and everything that she's instilled in me.
I've also become close with Nikki Limo and Jamie Kerstetter. There are so many amazing women in poker, and now I get to know and interact with them. I can't believe this is my life.
Can you share a little more about your love of the game?
I think that poker is so relatable to life. And honestly, the connections it's brought into my life. I've met the greatest people in my life through poker.
I also found the love of self, because there are so many life skills and lessons found in poker. I became more confident in myself. I found out some things about myself that are pretty freaking cool. I'm so super grateful for that aspect of it in my life.
I saw that you’ve created your own YouTube channel with your friend, Rachel, in Vegas. Can you tell us a bit about that adventure?
I wanted to start a vlog. Maybe there's one person out there that's like me, who can't quite do what they want to do yet.
I wanted to give back to the poker community. It’s called Purposeful Poker.
Poker isn't everything. There needs to be that balance with other things in life that you do off of the table. We’re excited to be sharing our journey.
Follow Laurel on X and Purposeful Poker on YouTube.
Image courtesy of Antonio Abrego/PokerGO.
