The first episode of the Poker with Saya podcast features a candid conversation between Saya Ono and her longtime friend and poker professional, Xuan Liu. The two women delve into their shared Chinese cultural heritage, the emotional highs and lows of navigating male-dominated spaces in the poker world, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Discovering Poker

Born in Tianjin, China, and raised in Canada from the age of five, Xuan Liu’s introduction to poker began early, sparked by the Hong Kong action-comedy film God of Gamblers. Her fascination with the game grew during college, as the “Moneymaker Boom” swept through the poker world, turning what started as a casual hobby into a lifelong passion.

• Liu recalls playing $1/$2 limit poker to $5 sit-and-go’s online, to some high rollers, and now High Stakes Poker.
• She’s come a long way, from casual beginner to professional poker player.

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. They share a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing for an open and honest conversation.

“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.”

It’s clear that their friendship has been forged through shared experiences and a deep understanding of each other’s perspectives.

Nearing a Million

Xuan Liu’s strong performance in 2024 brought her close to the elusive $1 million profit mark. Despite not reaching the goal, she attributes her success to a blend of luck and strategic game selection.

1. Liu credits her recent success to a combination of luck and game selection.
2. She notes that it’s easy to earn low six figures, but it’s challenging to go beyond that.

“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.”

This highlights the challenges faced by professional poker players, who often struggle to achieve financial stability.

Escaping “Survival Mode”

For Saya 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,” Ono 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?”

Winning a Bracelet?

Despite recently pivoting to cash games to win as much as possible without going crazy, Xuan Liu 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 says. “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 away, who knows if Liu’s trophy-hunting will come sooner rather than later?

The 2025 WSOP is just around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity for Xuan Liu to make a comeback and win her first bracelet. While the journey to achieving financial stability in poker is long and arduous, the lessons learned from Xuan Liu and Saya Ono serve as a reminder that perseverance, self-awareness, and a willingness to adapt are key to success in the game.