Xuan Liu made poker history by becoming the first woman to win a tournament in the prestigious Triton Poker Series. In her first appearance, she triumphed in the $25,000 WPT Global Slam, outlasting 155 entrants to win $860,000.
A historic victory in Montenegro
The poker world witnessed a historic moment in May 2025, when professional player Xuan Liu won the Triton Poker tournament in Montenegro. By winning the $25,000 WPT Global Slam event, Liu became the first woman to win a title in this prestigious tournament series.
The tournament attracted 99 players, with 56 re-entries, generating a prize pool of $3,875,000. Among the participants were some of the most prestigious names in poker. In the final, Xuan Liu faced Daniel Dvoress, a renowned Canadian player, in heads-up play. Despite an initial chip disadvantage, Liu turned the tables and came out on top.
This victory marks not only a personal milestone for Liu, but also a significant moment for female representation in high-level poker.
An impressive career
Born in China and raised in Canada, Xuan Liu began her poker career while studying at the University of Waterloo. She quickly made a name for herself on the international scene, with notable performances including a third-place finish at EPT San Remo in 2011 and a fourth-place finish at PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2012, where she won $600,000.
Over the years, Liu has amassed more than $3 million in live tournament winnings, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s top female poker players.
An inspiration for women in poker
Liu’s victory at the Triton tournament is more than just a personal triumph; it represents a significant step forward for women in a field traditionally dominated by men. By breaking this barrier, Liu is paving the way for greater inclusion and inspiring a new generation of female players to pursue their ambitions in professional poker.
In addition to Liu’s historic victory, the tournament saw other notable female performances. Kristen Foxen finished fourth, taking home $325,000 and becoming the second woman to surpass $10 million in live tournament winnings, joining Vanessa Selbst in this exclusive club.
The future looks bright
With this historic victory, Xuan Liu continues to push the boundaries and redefine what it means to be a woman in the world of professional poker. Her success at the Triton tournament is not just a personal victory, but a symbol of hope and possibility for all women aspiring to excel in this competitive field.
‘Obviously this is beyond my wildest dreams. I know I really can’t hang on a day-to-day basis [with the seasoned high-rollers], but this is what the beauty of poker is all about — anybody can get lucky on any given day.’