'I want to ruin that': Kristen Foxen on poker's high-stakes boys' club

Posted on: November 11, 2026 17:41 PST

Kristen Foxen wants to prove that the high-roller tournament scene isn't just for men and believes that, despite her substantial success, she still has a lot to prove in terms of her legacy as a woman in poker.

With six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and countless deep runs in large-field events – including a 13th-place finish in the 2024 WSOP Main Event – Foxen's talent on the felt is beyond question.

Still, the ultra high-stakes ecosystem is a completely different beast and stepping into that arena comes with its own set of unique challenges. Foxen is keen to prove that she belongs, not only for herself, but as an example to other women in poker that success on the high roller circuit isn't dependent on gender.

In an interview with Chance Kornuth on the Chip Leader Coaching podcast, Foxen spoke candidly about her motivations for competing at the highest level and admitted that she isn't satisfied with how she's performed against the game's elite players to this point in her career.

Note: Foxen's interview was originally recorded in 2025 – prior to her sixth bracelet win in the $25K 8-Max High Roller.

'I feel really compelled to represent women'

In the closing moments of the interview, Kornuth asked Foxen about her future goals in poker.

"I think that having a legacy as far as women in poker goes is definitely a goal of mine," she began. "I feel like I haven't accomplished what I would like to in that sense.

"I would really like to have more success in the high roller arena. I'm very hungry to perform my best on that stage. I feel like I'm not necessarily thrilled with the performance I've put on thus far and I think I can do a lot better."

Foxen went on to explain that her decision to wade into the high roller circuit is largely motivated by her desire to represent women in the male-dominated fields.

As one of only a handful of women who regularly compete at that level, she feels an obligation to shake up the boys' club atmosphere – and, in turn, prove that women belong at the highest stakes.

"I think it is, to me, really important to show that high stakes isn't just for men and that's kind of what motivates me to play them," she told Kornuth. "A large reason why I'm playing these events is because I feel really compelled to represent women in them. I don't like this feeling that it's a boys-only club. I want to ruin that for you guys."

"We're happy you're there, so keep ruining it," Kornuth replied.

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Following in Harman's footsteps

As Foxen sees it, her presence in the high roller scene allows other women in poker to envision themselves in similar spots.

She then went on to compare the responsibility she now feels to the impact that poker pioneer Jennifer Harman had on her when she was first starting out.

"I felt the same way with Jennifer Harman, watching her on High Stakes Poker," Foxen continued. "She was comfortable. It wasn't like she was questioning if she should have a seat in the game. It was really cool to see."

Foxen wants to be that example for the next generation of women in poker by establishing herself as a regular on the high roller circuit – as opposed to an occasional participant.