Annette Obrestad

Annette Obrestad was born on 18 September 1988 in Sandnes, Norway. She discovered poker at age 15 and built her initial bankroll by winning freeroll tournaments online, as she was underage to deposit funds. Playing under the screen name 'Annette_15,' she quickly gained recognition for her skill. In July 2007, she won a $4 buy-in 180-person sit-and-go while deliberately not looking at her cards for almost the entire tournament, claiming she peeked only once to demonstrate the importance of position and reading opponents.

On 17 September 2007, the day before her 19th birthday, Obrestad won the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event in London. The £10,000 buy-in tournament awarded first prize of £1,000,000 (approximately $2.01 million at the time), making her the youngest person ever to win a WSOP bracelet. This victory also eclipsed Annie Duke's record for the largest single-event payout to a female player at the time.

Later in 2007, Obrestad finished runner-up in the European Poker Tour Dublin Main Event, earning €297,800 ($431,184). She held the chip lead for most of the final table but ultimately lost to Reuben Peters. In September 2010, she won the EPT London £5,000 Heads-Up event for £120,000. Other notable results include a runner-up finish in the 2011 Wynn Classic $5,000 Main Event ($215,922) and a 7th-place finish in the 2010 Aussie Millions Main Event (A$175,000). At the 2013 WSOP Main Event, she finished 89th for $71,053. Her total live tournament winnings exceed $3.9 million, placing her fifth on the Norwegian all-time money list.

Obrestad lost her passion for poker around 2012 and gradually stepped away from the game, leaving the poker community in the late 2010s. She launched a successful YouTube channel, 'Annette's Makeup Corner,' focusing on makeup tutorials and reviews, particularly eyeshadow. In 2022, she began playing competitive Scrabble and quickly rose to become one of the top 100 players in the North American lexicon.

In April 2026, Obrestad made a surprise return to poker at the WSOP Europe in Prague, finishing 34th in the Main Event for €40,000. She appeared on the PokerNews Podcast to discuss her comeback and time away from the game.

Obrestad was known for her tight-aggressive style and exceptional ability to read opponents. She emphasized position and range analysis, often making aggressive plays from late position. Her famous 'no-look' tournament demonstrated her belief that reading opponents is more important than hole cards. She also stressed emotional control and bankroll management as keys to long-term success.

Obrestad is regarded as a trailblazer for female poker players, inspiring many young players with her early success. Her nickname 'The Huntress' and online moniker 'Annette_15' are still remembered in the poker community. Beyond poker, she has pursued makeup artistry and competitive Scrabble, showcasing her diverse talents.