No solver, no problem: Vanessa Selbst back in the mix at the 2025 WSOP

Since Vanessa Selbst entered the tournament poker scene, she has consistently been a player to watch, renowned for her ultra-aggressive style and outspoken and charismatic presence in the poker community.

Poker has taken a back seat in recent years, but she still leads the all-time female career money list with over $11.9M.

We caught up with Selbst during day two of the 2025 WSOP $10k Eight Game Mixed Championship event to find out what she’s been up to.

Vanessa Selbst is looking good for a deep run in the $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship.

What have you been up to over the last year?

I played in the World Series Main Event last year and the Paradise $25k. I play a couple of times a year, but I've been working and spending time with my family. I’ve got two kids, and all of that keeps me a little busy.

What do you do now that poker's taken a back seat?

I'm no longer a lawyer, but I work with some attorneys who specialize in civil rights law. My day-to-day work involves trading equity options.

You’re sitting at the table with one of the hottest players in poker on your right, Jesse Lonis. Are you having fun battling with him?

Definitely, he’s really fun to play with.

Have you been keeping up with the latest strategy threads and all of the solver info over the last few years to keep your poker game sharp?

No, not really. Honestly, I'm just a poker fan now. I stay on top of it so that I can follow and see what's going on. But I don't know what I'm doing. I don't study anymore. I come to the WSOP with the hope of having a good time and playing well.

I'm not anywhere near as good as I was when I was playing all the time. I’ve lowered the expectations on myself and come out to have fun.

Is the $10K Eight Game your first event this year?

Yes, and I will play the Main Event after this.

What’s your best game in the Eight Game Mix?

Besides no-limit and PLO, which obviously I have a lot of experience in, it’s probably triple draw. I like all the draw games, though this mix only includes one. Still, it's fun.

Any advice to players battling to make it through day one of the Main Event?

My advice is to take it slow and steady. You can't win it on day one. It's a great tournament with a great structure. There is a lot of room to wait for people to make mistakes and then pounce on them.

I mean, don't be afraid to be aggressive. But you don't need to force things. That’s the advice I’d give my younger self because I busted a few Main Events trying to make some creative bluffs.

There's a time and place for bluffing. I think the name of the game is getting value from better hands against worse hands, specifically against recreational players.