Jennifer Harman is one of the most successful women poker players of all time, boasting an estimated net worth of $15 million.
Unlike many successful players who have large income streams from outside of poker, Jennifer can legitimately say that she has earned most of her net worth at the poker tables.
Let's break down her story.
Who Is Jennifer Harman - Origins
Jennifer Harman's journey into the world of poker began early on in her hometown of Reno, Nevada, where she was born on November 29, 1964.
At the age of 8, she learnt poker by observing and occasionally participating in her father's regular poker games. Her mother also played a role in her lifelong passion for card games, teaching her the skill game of Pinochle at the age of five.
As a teenager, Harman used a fake ID to play in local casinos. Despite pursuing a degree in biology at the University of Nevada, she ultimately decided to play poker professionally.
Double Bracelet Winner
Jennifer Harman is one of the very few women poker players to claim two WSOP (World Series of Poker) bracelets in “open” events (“open” meaning not women-only events).
She won her first bracelet in 2000 in the $5,000 No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw tournament. A remarkable victory considering Harman had never played this specific format before.
She reportedly received a five-minute crash course from poker pro Howard Lederer immediately before the tournament. This short training session proved to be her poker cheat sheet, securing first place after beating out 29 entrants for a cool $146,250.
Two years later, in 2002, Harman won her second bracelet in the $5,000 Limit Hold'em event, earning the first-place prize of $212,440.
While these victories are undoubtedly a testament to Jennifer's poker-playing ability, they don't scratch the surface of her $15 million net worth. Most of her earnings have come from cash games.
The Corporation - Ultra High Stakes vs Andy Beal
Jennifer Harman was a prominent figure in one of poker's most legendary high-stakes confrontations, often referred to as "The Corporation" versus Andy Beal.
Andy Beal, a self-made billionaire with a background in banking, challenged the world's top poker professionals to a series of ultra-high stakes limit Hold’em matches.
To counter Beal's immense bankroll, a collection of elite poker pros, including Harman, pooled their money to form "The Corporation."
‘Top 10 Female Poker Pros’
Jennifer Harman (@REALJenHarman)
“As folklore has it, in one span Harman won $3m in each of three consecutive sessions against Beal, who turned out to be more than a formidable opponent, getting the better of several of the seasoned pros, some of whom… pic.twitter.com/dTGIHqCXm8— RounderLife (@RounderLife) May 19, 2023
This group included renowned players like Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest, Gus Hansen, Chip Reese, and Howard Lederer.
Jennifer Harman was an active participant in these gruelling matches, which sometimes stretched over days and involved millions of dollars in swings.
Her involvement in "The Corporation" further solidified her reputation as fearless, skilled and one of the best poker players of all time.
High Stakes Cash - Bobby’s Room
The majority of Jennifer Harman's net worth stems from her long and profitable participation in some of the highest stakes cash games in Las Vegas.
Jennifer was a regular (and often the only female player) in "The Big Game" held in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio casino.
These games are legendary for their astronomical stakes, with pots regularly reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Poker Hall of Fame
Jennifer Harman was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2015. This award is granted to poker's most enduring and influential figures.
Harman meets the criteria as a logical candidate for the following reasons:
- Two WSOP bracelets
- Respected by her peers
- Contributions to the game (e.g. writing a chapter for Super System 2)
- Longevity and consistency in her career
- Dominance in high-stakes cash games
PokerNews' @crichards1995 caught up with two-time bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Famer Jennifer Harman (@REALJenHarman) at the 2023 @WSOP to discuss her pick for the Poker Hall of Fame and her memories with the late Doyle Brunson.https://t.co/Qnzt25PMfr pic.twitter.com/0d9cP5Bg40
— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) June 17, 2023
Health Problems and CODA
Harman has battled kidney problems since childhood, a condition that also affected her sister and tragically claimed her mother's life when Harman was just 17. Harman has undergone two kidney transplants herself, with the second occurring in 2004, forcing her to take a year-long break from professional poker.
Following her second successful transplant, Harman established CODA (Creating Organ Donation Awareness). CODA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising money and public awareness about the critical need for organ donation.
Through CODA, Jennifer hopes to dispel misconceptions about organ donation and encourage more people to become organ donors. She draws directly from her own life-saving experiences, beating the odds of poker hands dealt to her.
Harman has also actively hosted and participated in charity poker tournaments, raising significant funds for organisations like the National Kidney Foundation.
Jennifer Harman - Animal Rights Activist
Jennifer Harman is a dedicated and active animal rights activist, with a particular focus on helping shelter animals. She has been a passionate fundraiser for the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), a no-kill animal shelter.
Harman has organised and hosted numerous charity poker tournaments, both live and online, specifically to benefit the NSPCA.
For instance, her "Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament" series alone has raised well over $1.5 million for the organization, making a substantial impact on animal welfare efforts.
Her efforts underscore her commitment to utilising her platform and influence to create a positive impact beyond the poker tables.
This is Aria #78553
I am trying to save sweet Aria!! She is at the Animal Care Shelter of NYC (aka kill shelter.) She is scheduled to be euthanized tomorrow! Can anyone Foster or Adopt her? She doesn't deserve to die!! Urgent!! please help!!!
LINK IN NEXT TWEET pic.twitter.com/JdM3D4WAwH— Jennifer Harman (@REALJenHarman) November 26, 2019
Doyle Brunson's Super System 2
Jennifer Harman contributed a chapter to Doyle Brunson's highly influential poker strategy book, Super System 2. Doyle hand-picked her, alongside other legends like Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth, to offer their strategic wisdom to a broad audience.
Harman's chapter in Super System 2 focuses on Limit Hold'em, which makes sense given her success in the format. While some reviews have characterised her chapter as being very basic, it nonetheless provides a professional's perspective on the nuances of Limit Hold’em.
Jennifer Harman - Net Worth
Jennifer Harman's impressive net worth, estimated to be around $15 million, is a testament to her extraordinary career as a professional poker player.
While her live tournament winnings exceed $2.9 million, including her two WSOP bracelets, the exact foundation of her wealth lies in her consistent and profitable play in some of the world’s most exclusive high-stakes cash games.
