Maria Ho is a Taiwanese-American professional poker player, television host, and commentator. She was inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame in 2018 and has been active in the industry for nearly two decades.
Public interest in her net worth is largely tied to that long career and her visibility both at the tables and in the poker media. Unlike many professionals who rely mainly on tournament results, Ho has generated income from broadcasting, casino partnerships, and television appearances.
This article examines the main sources of her income and explains how estimates of her net worth are derived. It is essential to note that net worth figures for poker players are not public records. Cash poker games results, personal investments, and individual expenses are not disclosed.
Estimated Net Worth of Maria Ho
Most sources estimate that Maria Ho’s net worth is between $4 million and $5 million.
Why the uncertainty?
Tournament winnings only tell part of the story. Money from commentary work, sponsorships, cash games, and other sources doesn’t show up in any database. And we don’t know what her expenses look like.
H2: Tournament Winnings (Verified Data)
When evaluating Maria Ho’s financial impact on the felt, we will use the numbers provided by The Hendon Mob. Her career earnings currently sit just north of $5.5 million, with close to 100 combined cashes at WSOP and WPT Poker Tournaments.
It’s not about the money, though. Even with a career-best score of over half a million dollars, her legacy is defined by her four-time status as the WSOP Main Event’s Last Woman Standing.
But here’s the thing: tournament winnings aren’t the same as net worth.
・ Buy-ins add up.
・ So do flights, hotels, food, and US taxes.
A player’s Hendon Mob number is gross earnings, not what lands in their pocket.
Sponsorships and Brand Deals
Ho served as a brand ambassador for WinStar World Casino and Resort for over ten years, representing one of the largest casinos in the US. She’s also hosted the Battle of Malta, one of Europe’s biggest mid-stakes festivals.
Beyond casinos, Ho has branched out into tech, signing a deal to serve as a brand ambassador for the crypto-cashback app StormX, announced in 2022.
Deals like these usually cover tournament buy-ins and travel, plus a retainer, but the exact numbers are not public. This kind of income is steady and a great way to offset poker variance.
Media, Commentary, and Broadcasting Income
In 2013, Ho became one of the first women hired as a resident/primary strategic commentator on a major poker TV broadcast. That was with the Heartland Poker Tour. Since then, she’s worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and PokerGO.
Since 2018, she has been on the PokerGO team, announcing events such as the US Poker Open, Super High Roller Bowl, and Poker Masters. In 2019, she was awarded the Global Poker Award in the Broadcaster of the Year category.
Commentary pays.
And unlike tournaments, it pays whether you’re running good or not.
Other Income Streams
Ho’s work is not limited to poker tournaments and broadcasts. She has appeared on several television programmes, including The Amazing Race (Season 15), American Idol, Deal or No Deal, and Anderson Cooper 360.
She has also contributed to GTO poker-related publications, writing a chapter in Winning Women of Poker: Secret Strategies Revealed.
Career Achievements That Impact Her Net Worth
Maria Ho went pro in 2005. Two decades on, she hasn’t slowed down – tournaments, PokerGO broadcasts, sponsorship deals, the whole circuit. That kind of longevity opens doors.
She was inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2023, she won the Game of Gold tournament for $456,000, followed by two Celebrity Poker Tour titles in 2024.
Is Maria Ho One of the Richest Poker Players?
If we’re talking pure tournament earnings, she’s not even close to the top. The all-time money list has her ranked around 400th. Pros like Bryn Kenney, Justin Bonomo, and Daniel Negreanu are in a different league.
But again, prize money doesn’t tell the whole story. Plenty of players with massive cashes have burned through it all. Ho’s edge is that she doesn’t rely on running hot or scooping in a big pot in a poker hand.
The PokerGO paydays come in regardless. So do the WinStar payments. When your income doesn’t swing with your cards, you sleep better at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is Maria Ho worth?
A: Public estimates place Maria Ho’s net worth between $4 million and $5 million. This figure reflects income from tournament play, broadcasting work, and sponsorship agreements. She has not released any personal financial information.
Q: How did Maria Ho make her money?
A: Her recorded live tournament winnings exceed $5.5 million. In addition, she earns income through poker commentary roles with outlets such as ESPN and PokerGO, as well as long-term sponsorship arrangements and television appearances.
Q: Do poker winnings equal net worth?
A: No. Tournament results show gross prize amounts before expenses. Buy-ins, travel costs, taxation, and personal spending reduce the amount a player ultimately retains. Net worth depends on factors such as cash game results, savings, and investments.
Q: Is Maria Ho still active in poker?
A: Yes. As of early 2026, she continues to compete in major tournament types of poker games and remains involved in poker broadcasting.
