Jennifer Harman

  • Name: Jennifer C. Harman-Traniello

  • Current Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada

  • DOB: November 29th, 1964

  • Birth Place: Reno, Nevada, USA

  • Sponsored by: Full Tilt Poker

  • WSOP Bracelets: 2

  • Total Winnings: $2,377,215 (March 2010)

  • Marital Status: Married

  • Children: 2 (Twins)

  • Age Started Playing Poker: 8

  • Favourite Poker Game: Limit Hold'em

Who is Jennifer Harman?

Jennifer Harman is one of the most respected poker players, and the only woman to hold two WSOP bracelets. She learned how to play poker with her father and became a pro at 21, but it was not until she got her first bracelet that she joined the big leagues. Her career as a pro has not been easy because poker is a man's world but she has made her way to the top and earned the respect of her peers. Although Jen learned poker in his father's home games, he did not approve of her daughter earning a living playing cards and they did not talk to each other for many years.

She likes to play at the high-stakes cash games at the Bellagio and she is the only woman who is frequently present at the "Big Game". She is considered one of the best Limit Hold'em players in the world.

In 2006 Harman took a year off because of kidney problems, a disease that also affected her sister and mother, it was her second kidney transplant. During this time she wrote the entire Limit Hold'em chapter for what many call the poker Bible, Super/System 2. After she recovered, Harman founded The Creating Organ Donation Awareness, a non profit organization that is in charge of raising money and awareness for the cause. She also supports charities for prevention of cruelty to animals.

Her best friend is the poker pro Daniel Negreanu. She admits he helped her improve her No Limit game, though it is still considered to be her relative weakness. Jennifer is also close to Doyle Brunson and has said that he is like a father to her. She used to date Doyle's son Todd and they remain good friend. She is one of the most private players and keeps her personal life to herself. She rarely gives out interviews and does not spend too much time at the luxury poker parties. She lives with her Italian husband Marco Traniello (also a poker pro), children and dogs comfortably but with no extravagance in their house in Las Vegas.

Public Perception and Reputation: A real cash game player...

Jennifer Harman has often been underestimated as a poker player. Men used to see her as a little girl and did not consider her a rival. But that was until she proved herself to be worth fearing. She is widely respected in the circuit, especially for having earned a place in a world that was dominated by men. She is a member of the infamous Corporation that has been playing high stakes cash games against the billionaire Andy Beal in Las Vegas over the years.

Some controversy was built upon her when she married Marco Traniello in 2000 because he was only 23 years old (Jen was 36). However, they are now a stable couple and have built a family.

Poker Techniques

Jen says that it has helped her that some players underestimate her for being a woman because then they act condescendingly towards her and never see what hit them. This is one of the advantages of being a female poker player. Jen is an observant player who likes to vary her play to take advantage of her opponents' tendencies.

Media Exposure