"Maria Ho Takes a Break: Reasons Behind Her Absence from the World Series of Poker After 16 Straight Years"
Maria Ho, a renowned figure in the world of poker, has been maintaining a balance between her love for the game and her other interests. Despite the pressure and burnout that came with competitive play, Ho has not lost her passion for poker.
Ho was an active participant in the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, as indicated by her name appearing among registered players in the 2025 WSOP Main Event feature tables, with ESPN coverage documenting her presence. There is no evidence to suggest that she was absent from the 2021 WSOP or shifted her focus away from poker during that period.
Despite not being physically present at the WSOP, Ho remains connected to the poker world. She has been keeping up with the game by doing remote commentary for PokerStars streams, and she misses being at the WSOP, especially her booth commentary with Norman Chad and Lon McEachern.
Ho's time currently does not allow her to play much poker, but she has been studying the game intensively. This dedication is evident in her new poker game co-creation, Pokerriculum, designed to enhance home games and improve poker skills.
Ho admires her fellow poker players Vanessa Selbst and Liv Boeree for their accomplishments in the game and their ability to find passions outside of poker. Both Selbst and Boeree are also competing at the 2021 WSOP.
Last year, Ho ran deep in several WSOP events, including a final table appearance and a sixth-place finish in the $10,000 HORSE event. Despite missing out on the WSOP Main Event booth commentary with Chad and McEachern, Ho has not regretted her decision to not attend the WSOP this year due to personal priorities.
Ho's other important priorities have not diminished her love for poker. She still loves working with Chad and can hear his voice in her head. Ho can be followed on X for updates on her future plans, which include a return to the WSOP refreshed and ready to play.
Maria Ho, though not attending the WSOP in person this year, continues her involvement in the casino-and-gambling world through remote commentary for PokerStars streams. Despite her busy schedule, Ho is also working on a new casino-games creation, Pokerriculum, designed to elevate home games and Casinosports enthusiasts' poker skills.
