Marle Spragg has become an ambassador for the world's largest poker site, PokerStars, and a staple at the biggest tournaments in the world.
Tournament entries are up across the board, headlined by last summer's World Series of Poker breaking all records, including drawing a staggering 10,112 players into the $10,000 Main Event.
One major factor in the latest boom -- more than 20 years after the biggest one where the game turned into a ratings hit on ESPN -- is the emergence of a new generation of players adept at more than just gambling. Poker might have reached a whole new audience with the popularity of YouTube vloggers reviewing and commenting on their sessions.
Count Marle Spragg among that group. And the 33-year New York native did it with an old-fashioned twist.
Unlike many players who log millions of hands online, Spragg moved to Las Vegas and learned how to play live in some of the most famous poker rooms in the world. Spragg's introduction to the game came from her father, who brought her to play in a few cash games at the Bellagio when she was just getting started.
Cash games turned into an obsession, and Spragg eventually tapped into her theatrical and comedic background to make dry-humored sketches and shorts that spread widely in poker circles.
She's since moved to the United Kingdom, become an ambassador for the world's largest poker site, PokerStars, and a staple at the biggest tournaments in the world.
We caught up with Spragg when she was back in town for PokerStars' North American Poker Tour stop at Resorts World to talk about her rise, spending 10 years as a local professional and her goals going forward.
What initially brought you to Las Vegas?
I played poker recreationally and was looking to do something different after college. I went to school in New York and I just loved Vegas. I lived on the Strip for five years in various places and, when I first moved here, I lived in a poker house with a bunch of British guys and just grinded day and night. There are just so many good memories in Vegas of playing all day and all night, walking home as the sun is coming up and doing it all the next day.
What are your best memories from back then?
We just loved the game. It wasn't about anything else. Now there are so many different things, whether it's trying to make good content, trying to have a tournament score to have glory or something. But back then, there was nothing better than grinding with your friends and then going to a diner and talking about hands for three hours and then going home and talking about hands at home. Nothing else mattered. I'll always look back on those times as the absolute best because it was so simple.
What made you take the jump from playing recreationally to professionally?
I did have a job at first. I had a job waiting tables. I would play when I wasn't working, then I quit the job. What made the jump for me was my ex-boyfriend was a pro, and his friend coached me and staked me and I was like, OK, now I have this in place. He is who really made me a winning player. He made me good and with that encouragement and support, it was like, all right, let's try it.
What caused the realization that you had a lane to make unique content out of your experiences?
I had an acting background so I just wanted to do something a bit creative that was a good outlet from grinding all the time. It does get momentous. I was good friends with (well-known poker vloggers) Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme. They were like, "You should do this. You're a female. You can do it like we do it." They planted the seed. I just started doing different things and it kind of blew up.
What's the balance now between playing and producing content?
I kind of toggle back and forth. Since I moved to the U.K. and I have the access to play online, I was inspired to actually try to get good at poker. I have a long way to go, so I have been enjoying actually studying and playing more right now, but inevitably I'll go on a downswing. That's kind of how it works. When I'm on a downswing and less incentivized to play, less wanting to play, it's like, I'll go make some videos now. I'll do something else and take a break.
How many of your video ideas come to you at the table?
It happens all the time. But when I'm in content brain, it's different than when I'm in regular brain. When I'm focused on making content, I'm constantly looking for things. A lot of my videos happen when I'm at the table and say something and people respond to it -- this is something people are interested in. So I'll make a video about it.
How important is it to you to help expand the game for women?
I want to do whatever I can, especially for women and especially for a new generation of players. Your poker odyssey teaches you a lot of great life lessons -- long-term thinking, bankroll management, not being results-oriented. These kinds of things are really key life skills, so the more people we can teach those things, especially ladies, it's a huge win.
How much growth have you seen in that area, more than a decade into playing?
A lot. The first day I was here, I had five ladies at my table. You used to never see that.
What role did your dad play in making you pursue poker full-time?
He's always been really supportive. He loves poker so obviously he understands it very well. He's supportive and he said, "I will do whatever it is to make you more comfortable. If you want to do this, I'll support you." I'm really lucky. He was key because without him I would have been so nervous to sit down for the first time and second time.
What does he make of your career now?
He loves it. He was here playing a few days and we got him a hoodie, he had a patch on. He's grinding. He's a huge supporter.
How much would it mean to you to win a major tournament or a World Series of Poker bracelet?
Bracelets are still highly sought after, and I got 11th place this year in the WSOP Ladies Event, so I was close. I just wanted to (mimics screaming in frustration) bubbling the final table. I would love to have those achievements, but more so, I just want to understand the game on a deep level. You focus on the process and making good decisions, then that will all come. It's inevitable it will come one day.