( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Poker Pro Ebony Kenney Empowers Women On and Off the Table
ENSPIRE Contributor: Laura B. Colton
For decades, the world of professional poker has been a male-dominated arena—one where women were often sidelined or underestimated. However, trailblazers like Ebony Kenney are changing that narrative, one bold hand at a time. As a professional poker player and confidence coach, Kenney is paving the path for more women to step into their power on and off the poker table.
Notably, Kenney made headlines in 2023 after she became the first female poker pro selected to play in the prestigious Coin Rivet International Poker Tournament. Facing a field stacked with some of the world’s best players, Kenney played her way to a historic 5th place finish, walking away with a career-high $1.7 million. The moment wasn’t just a win for her—it was a win for representation.
“As the lone female poker pro, I felt inspired to play the best poker of my life, knowing the further I went, the greater the potential for more impact on other women,” she told Us Magazine. “Representation matters. And when people who look like me can see themselves in a space like this, big dreams feel more attainable.”
Since then, Kenney has used her platform to inspire women to embrace their inner strength and challenge stereotypes, not just in poker, but in every part of life.
Ebony Kenney’s rise in poker has been nothing short of electrifying. Her early breakout moment came during the 2020 All-In for America Celebrity Poker Tournament—a star-studded charity event featuring household names like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jon Hamm, and Tobey Maguire. With a $10,000 buy-in and proceeds going to Feeding America, the tournament was competitive and high-profile. Kenney, one of the few women in professional poker who was playing in a 65-player field, held her own and finished in 1st place, marking her as a player to watch.
She followed this performance with another major win at the 2021 Fall Poker Series in Las Vegas, placing first in the $500 No Limit Hold ’Em Mystery Bounty event and pocketing $41,164. But it was the 2022 Coin Rivet Invitational that truly cemented her legacy.
This unique tournament paired recreational players—mostly businessmen—with professional players, creating two separate fields that merged on Day 2. Americas Cardroom CEO Phil Nagy handpicked Kenney to join the elite roster, standing out in a contest historically dominated by men. Her remarkable run to 5th place didn’t just earn her a massive payout, it also boosted her to 16th on the Women’s All-Time Money List, a testament to her growing stature in the sport.
Given her impact and rising fame, it’s no surprise that in 2020, Kenney was named a Team Pro for trusted poker provider Americas Cardroom. The ambassadorship has allowed her to elevate the presence of women in professional poker, representing the platform at global tournaments and events. For instance, in 2024, she took on the role of host for Americas Cardroom’s charity poker tournament to benefit the United Breast Cancer Foundation—one of many ways she uses her reach for positive change.
Kenney’s commitment to empowerment extends well beyond the felt. Through her coaching platform, Uncaged Collective, she offers online confidence-building programs tailored specifically for women. Her signature course, Embodied Confidence, helps participants sharpen their poker skills while developing the mindset needed to thrive in male-dominated spaces.
These classes echo women-led empowerment podcasts like Real Pod by Victoria Garrick Brown and Ashley Graham’s Pretty Big Deal, which dive deep into confidence, resilience, and self-worth themes. Kenney’s approach is similarly holistic, blending skill development with personal growth. She has also authored an ebook titled Becoming A Badass Woman, further amplifying her message: power isn’t something you wait to be given—it’s something you claim for yourself.
By excelling in high-stakes games and using her voice to uplift others, Ebony Kenney is doing more than just breaking barriers; she’s building bridges for the next generation of women to cross.
Watch below, Ebony Kenney has been making waves in the male-dominated pro poker player scene. Credit: @acr_poker on YouTube.
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