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In the first episode of the Learn with Saya podcast, host Saya Ono welcomes her longtime friend and accomplished poker professional Xuan Liu for a deeply personal conversation about their journeys in poker.
The two women discuss their shared Chinese cultural heritage, and the emotional highs and lows of navigating male-dominated spaces both at the table and in life.
Discovering Poker
Born in Tianjin, China, and raised in Canada from the age of five, Liu’s introduction to poker came early. She recalls watching the Hong Kong action-comedy film God of Gamblers, which first sparked her fascination with the game. That interest deepened during college, just as the “Moneymaker Boom” swept through the poker world.
What started as a casual hobby soon turned into a lifelong passion.
“Back then I played anything from $1/$2 limit poker to $5 sit-and-go’s online, to some high rollers, and now High Stakes Poker,” Liu recalls. “I’ve definitely come a long way.”
Ono and Liu became friends shortly before the pandemic, bonding over their cultural similarities and the unique ways their heritage shaped their personalities and paths into poker.
“It’s rare to find a girl who is a natural. Someone who just loves to gamble and loves the strategic part of the game,” Ono says. “But I’m one of those. I’m just obsessed with the game and really enjoy the competitive aspect.”
Nearing a Million
The conversation shifts to Liu’s strong performance in 2024, a year that brought her close to the elusive $1 million profit mark.
“I was very close,” she says. “Unfortunately, the last bit of the year didn’t end quite so well. But it’s probably my best year. I’ve had tournament years where I’ve cashed for more, but when you factor in buy-ins, this year comes out ahead.”
“It’s easy to earn low six figures, but it’s really hard to go far beyond that”
After a brief hiatus from poker, Liu returned to the game with a renewed sense of direction. She credits much of her recent success to a blend of luck and strategic game selection.
“While poker is going through another boom thanks to content creators and the abundance of learning tools, it’s still hard for the average grinder to make significant money. It’s easy to earn low six figures, but it’s really hard to go far beyond that.”
Escaping “Survival Mode”
For Ono, poker has been a double-edged sword. While it’s brought her success, it has also shaped the way she interacts with others.
“For most of my career, I was perceived as a little abrasive at the table,” she admits. “I think that’s because I grew up feeling like I couldn’t trust people. Some of my experiences in poker reinforced that belief. Not everyone is your friend.”
Now, she’s focused on turning a new page.
“This year, I want to embrace who I really am. I want to change my mindset—forget about the bad experiences, focus on the good, and love myself and everyone around me.”
Liu agrees that toughness was once necessary to survive in the poker world, especially as women in a male-dominated industry. But with more stability and confidence, the goal has shifted.
“Now that I’m more comfortable, how can I stop being in survival mode all the time? How can I just relax and be softer?”
Click Here to Watch the Full Interview
Winning a Bracelet?
Despite recently pivoting to cash games to, in “win as much as possible without going crazy” according to Liu, she admits there’s always going to be a special place in her heart for tournaments.
“It’s been a while since I’ve won a live trophy,” she said. “I play on average 25 tournaments a year, but when I play them I take them seriously. In the future I definitely want to trophy-hunt and win a bracelet, but right now it’s still mostly cash games.”
According to The Hendon Mob, it’s been over 5 years since Liu’s last tournament victory. And with the 2025 WSOP less than a month way, who knows if Liu’s trophy-hunting will come sooner rather than later?
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