Poker has produced many stars. Speakers. Show-offs. Geniuses. Crazy ones. And then there is Kristen Foxen.The Canadian won the $1,000 High Roller event at the
World Series of Poker last night, adding another exclamation point to her already extraordinary career. Out of a field of 345 entrants, filled with numerous world-class players, she emerged victorious, taking home $1,773,083 in prize money – the largest live payout of her career.
The title that means the most to herThis was already her sixth WSOP bracelet. But this one meant the most to her. About two years ago, Foxen publicly stated that she wanted to win a bracelet in one of the toughest fields in the world. Many of her previous titles had been won in smaller tournaments or online events. Now she fulfilled that very wish.
Those who only know Kristen Foxen superficially see the numbers first. Six bracelets. More than $1.7 million in prize money just this year. Nearly $1 million in total prize money. Four tournament wins of over a million dollars in just the past twelve months. First place on the Women’s All-Time Money List. The most successful female poker player in history. However, the career of the 39-year-old Kristen Foxen, who is still known to many poker fans by her maiden name Bicknell, began in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Today she lives in Las Vegas with her husband Alex Foxen – the center of the poker world.
More than just impressive statisticsBut Kristen Foxen is far more than just impressive numbers. She embodies a mindset that not only poker players can benefit from. In interviews, she repeatedly states that her success is primarily based on making good decisions. Not only at the poker table, but also in everyday life. When faced with a choice, she asks herself which option will provide her the greatest long-term benefit.
Should I go out tonight or get enough sleep? Should I mindlessly scroll on my phone for hours or learn something new? Am I looking for short-term rewards or investing in my future? These aren’t really poker questions. They are life questions.
Foxen constantly works on self-improvement. Her goal is not perfection, but to become just a little bit better every day. Her husband Alex Foxen plays an important role in this.
What she has learned from her husbandKristen openly shares that she used to carry mistakes with her for days or even weeks. Bad decisions lingered on her mind. Alex, on the other hand, analyzes a mistake briefly, learns from it, and moves on. No self-pity. No endless blame. No emotional baggage. Kristen claims this ability has profoundly shaped her. Today she also tries not to carry mistakes into future decisions. A bad week at work affects the next. An argument weighs on the following days. A lost poker game leads to the next mistake. Foxen shows how important it is to separate the past from the future.
She also learned from Alex to play more aggressively, to allow new perspectives, and to view poker not just as mathematics, but as a creative game. Above all, she admires his unwavering belief in the ability to win.
Why I am a fan of Kristen FoxenKristen Foxen appears calm, humble, and grounded. Despite her successes, she seems to never forget that life is about more than just poker and prize money. At the same time, she is one of the most ambitious and successful players in the world.
She has won the Female Poker Player of the Year award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2025. And unless something extraordinary happens, 2026 is likely to be another year on this impressive list. After all, Foxen has already won more prize money this year than the player ranked sixth on the Women’s All-Time Money List has in her entire career.For me personally, Kristen Foxen is therefore much more than the best female poker player in the world. She is proof that long-term success often does not come from spectacular secrets. But from thousands of good decisions. Every single day.
At the poker table. And in real life.
Martin “Potti” Pott
The title that means the most to herThis was already her sixth WSOP bracelet. But this one meant the most to her. About two years ago, Foxen publicly stated that she wanted to win a bracelet in one of the toughest fields in the world. Many of her previous titles had been won in smaller tournaments or online events. Now she fulfilled that very wish.
Those who only know Kristen Foxen superficially see the numbers first. Six bracelets. More than $1.7 million in prize money just this year. Nearly $1 million in total prize money. Four tournament wins of over a million dollars in just the past twelve months. First place on the Women’s All-Time Money List. The most successful female poker player in history. However, the career of the 39-year-old Kristen Foxen, who is still known to many poker fans by her maiden name Bicknell, began in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Today she lives in Las Vegas with her husband Alex Foxen – the center of the poker world.More than just impressive statisticsBut Kristen Foxen is far more than just impressive numbers. She embodies a mindset that not only poker players can benefit from. In interviews, she repeatedly states that her success is primarily based on making good decisions. Not only at the poker table, but also in everyday life. When faced with a choice, she asks herself which option will provide her the greatest long-term benefit.
Should I go out tonight or get enough sleep? Should I mindlessly scroll on my phone for hours or learn something new? Am I looking for short-term rewards or investing in my future? These aren’t really poker questions. They are life questions.
Foxen constantly works on self-improvement. Her goal is not perfection, but to become just a little bit better every day. Her husband Alex Foxen plays an important role in this.
What she has learned from her husbandKristen openly shares that she used to carry mistakes with her for days or even weeks. Bad decisions lingered on her mind. Alex, on the other hand, analyzes a mistake briefly, learns from it, and moves on. No self-pity. No endless blame. No emotional baggage. Kristen claims this ability has profoundly shaped her. Today she also tries not to carry mistakes into future decisions. A bad week at work affects the next. An argument weighs on the following days. A lost poker game leads to the next mistake. Foxen shows how important it is to separate the past from the future.
She also learned from Alex to play more aggressively, to allow new perspectives, and to view poker not just as mathematics, but as a creative game. Above all, she admires his unwavering belief in the ability to win.Why I am a fan of Kristen FoxenKristen Foxen appears calm, humble, and grounded. Despite her successes, she seems to never forget that life is about more than just poker and prize money. At the same time, she is one of the most ambitious and successful players in the world.
She has won the Female Poker Player of the Year award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2025. And unless something extraordinary happens, 2026 is likely to be another year on this impressive list. After all, Foxen has already won more prize money this year than the player ranked sixth on the Women’s All-Time Money List has in her entire career.For me personally, Kristen Foxen is therefore much more than the best female poker player in the world. She is proof that long-term success often does not come from spectacular secrets. But from thousands of good decisions. Every single day.
At the poker table. And in real life.Martin “Potti” Pott