Poker players experience highs and lows regularly – it’s the nature of the game. But Esther 'E-Tay' Taylor experienced both extremes on Monday.
The low came in the event that elevated her status in the poker world last year – the $50K Poker Players Championship. The high came courtesy of her reputation as one of the game's most talented and respected players.
Taylor was officially named a poker pro ambassador for BetMGM on Monday, a company she says she’s happy and honored to represent, especially in an era with far fewer opportunities like this.
“Back in the day, with online poker, it used to be a lot easier to get these kinds of sponsorship deals," Taylor told us. "Obviously, after Black Friday, those deals got a lot harder. And I'm only saying that because I realize how lucky it is and what an opportunity it is for me in this space. I don't really have many words outside of absolutely life-changing.”
Taylor says that what BetMGM has shown her in the lead-up to the partnership being announced on Monday has her excited for what’s to come.
“It's really cool to work with them, because they've said, ‘We respect that you're a poker player.’ They respect that I'm coming from being a mom and transitioning into an empty nester, so I have a lot more time to dedicate to poker.
"They just see all of that, and they’re letting me be a poker player and a tournament player. For the most part, I'm going to do what I've always been doing. I'm always just going to be me. I'm always gonna try to be as authentic and real as possible."
Reflecting on the PPC
Along with creating more social media content, which she jokes about trying to figure out as a middle-aged woman, Taylor will primarily be doing what she’s most comfortable with – playing poker tournaments. While she couldn’t replicate her 2025 third-place run in the WSOP $50K Poker Players Championship this year, Taylor explained to us why she was still okay with her effort this time around.
“This year, I put a little bit more pressure on myself because I'm representing women in poker, women in mixed games, women in the Poker Players Championship, which is rare to see. I'm happy and honored to represent that.”
“I think, as professionals, you have to look at it from the angle of, 'It wasn't my turn, and that's okay.' Then you can be more Zen about it. It just wasn't my turn this year, but I'll be back next year, of course."
E-Tay is off to Aria
Taylor will continue chasing bracelets at the WSOP over the next week before heading to the Aria Poker Classic from July 1-4, where she'll represent BetMGM in the $3,500 BetMGM Championship.
"I’m excited. It's a change of scenery and it's kind of like a breath of fresh air, too. During the WSOP, I'm very focused, hyper-focused on bracelet events, fantasy points, and things like that. It will be an honor to be over there representing.”
PokerOrg will be at Aria to provide Instant Live coverage of the $3,500 BetMGM Championship, July 1-4.
