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Born in Staten Island, New York, Loni Harwood’s journey to becoming a professional female poker player began with watching her father, Joel Harwood, compete in online poker tournaments. Witnessing his success sparked her interest in the game, and she decided to pursue a career in poker and high-stakes events.
This article delves into the fascinating biography of Loni Harwood Hui, covering her early life, impressive poker achievements, personal life, and more. Buckle up as we explore the story of a young woman who defied expectations and became a poker powerhouse on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) stage.
Loni’s Life At A Glance
| Full Name | Loni Harwood |
| Nickname | Harwood |
| Date of Birth | Sep 20, 1989 |
| Age | 35 |
| Siblings | Scott Harwood |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Husband | Phil Hui |
| Number of children | None |
| Born | Staten Island, NY |
| Nationality | United States |
| Residence | Hollywood, FL, United States |
| Height | 157 cm |
| Weight | 63 kg |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Twitter (X) | @Luscious_Lon |
| @lonihui_ | |
| Net Worth | $3.5 Million |
| 2024 POY Rank | 1204 |
| GPI Rank | 757 |
| Total Live Earnings | $3,726,096 |
| Best Live Cash | $609,017 |
| Popularity Ranking | 207 |
| All-Time Money List | 542 |
| Education | Finance |
| University | University at Albany |
| Profession | Poker Player |
| NFL Favorite Team | Kansas City Chiefs |
Loni Harwood Biography & Early Years
Loni was born on September 20, 2024, in Staten Island, New York, United States. We don’t know much about her childhood, but she has a brother, Scott, who has been her biggest supporter. Scott is not a poker player and only plays poker for fun. Loni’s father, Joel Harwood, is 70 years old and still plays poker. He was Loni’s main poker trainer. She always credits his father for teaching her to play and win poker.
Loni used to watch his father play online poker and win a significant amount of money. So, she decided to become a professional poker player. Although her parents always supported her in everything she did, they were not very happy with her decision. Loni attended The State University of New York at Albany and graduated in Finance in 2012. After graduation, her parents accepted her decision to become a full-time poker player.
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Early Wins and Facing Challenges
In January 2012, she moved to Florida and started playing poker professionally. She began grinding to five cash and went to the West Palm Beach Circuit in February of the same year, where she won her first tournament. After that, Loni started to make a good bankroll immediately and got very lucky at the beginning of her poker career. However, soon after, poker showed its ugly face to her when she had a couple of bad losses. It was when she realized that poker was not as easy as it seemed and that she needed to work harder to survive in the world of competitive poker.
Loni Harwood Poker Profile
Loni Harwood’s impressive poker career includes two WSOP Circuit rings in 2012. Her first came at the Palm Beach Kennel Club, conquering a field of 500 players in a $300 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event for $30,994. Shortly after, she secured another ring at Harrah’s New Orleans, defeating 345 players in a $355 No-Limit Hold’em event for $23,090.
Harwood’s historical achievements as a pro-female poker player truly unfolded in 2013. She carved her name into the record books by becoming the second woman ever, following Cyndy Violette in 2005, to reach three final tables at a single WSOP tournament. But Harwood didn’t stop there. She shattered another glass ceiling, becoming the first woman to win a bracelet in the same year when she reached three final tables. This remarkable accomplishment propelled Loni to the third spot in the prestigious 2013 World Series of Poker Player of the Year race. She also secured the eighth position on the all-time list of female WSOP champions, cementing her place in poker history. Moreover, her $609,017 victory in the massive 2,541-player $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Event 60 became the highest payout ever awarded to a woman in a Las Vegas WSOP event. This record only stood behind Annette Obrestad’s historic £1,000,000 win in the 2007 World Series of Poker Europe main event. Her total earnings of $874,698 during the 2013 World Series of Poker stood as the highest ever for a female player in a single series.
Harwood’s dominance continued in 2015, adding a second coveted WSOP bracelet to her collection by winning the U.S. National Championship. Her best result in 2024, so far, was on January 06, 2024, in the $1,100 No-Limit Hold ’em $50K GTD event, where she finished 2nd and won $26,627.
| World Series of Poker Achievements | |
| Winnings | $1,721,347 |
| Cashes | 65 |
| Final Tables | 7 |
| Bracelets | 2 |
Loni’s latest WSOP appearance was in the 2023/24 WSOP Circuit—Harrah’s Pompano Beach (Florida), Event #10: $1,700 Main Event, where she finished 9th and won $20,512.
Loni Harwood’s Net Worth, Husband & Love Life!
In November 2020, Loni married the love of her life, Phillip or Phil Hui, and officially became Mrs. Hui. Phil Hui is also a professional poker player who was born on November 17, 1987. Phil’s total poker live earnings exceed $4 million and he has won 3 WSOP bracelets so far. Phillip was a professional Golf player in his hometown, Texas, before becoming a full-time pro poker player. The couple had been together for years before tying the knot in 2020 in a private ceremony amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Loni and his Husband’s total net worth in 2024 is estimated to exceed $8 million, and the couple has no plan to retire from poker yet.
Which Hui Is More Popular?
According to the poker popularity ranking, Mrs. Hui is more popular, standing at 207th place against Phil, whose rank is 637. If we count the number of their social media followers, Loni beats Mr.Hui with over 11k followers on Twitter(X) and nearly 2k Instagram followers.
Last Few Words
Loni Harwood Hui’s journey from finance graduate to two-time WSOP champion inspires aspiring poker players everywhere. Her story highlights the dedication, perseverance, and strategic thinking required to succeed in this competitive game. Want to learn more about other inspiring poker champions? Explore our biography section to learn more about legendary figures like Kristen Foxen and Erik Seidel, as well as rising stars like Melika Razavi.
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