Linda Johnson

Linda Johnson was born on October 14, 1953, in Long Island, New York. Before becoming involved in poker, she worked for the United States Postal Service and traveled regularly to Las Vegas to play blackjack. Her father, a career service member, convinced her that poker was the best gambling option as it was not played against the house.

Johnson began playing poker in 1974 after teaching herself from books. She entered her first WSOP event in 1980, a Ladies Seven-Card Stud tournament, finishing fifth. That performance prompted her to quit her job and move to Las Vegas to play professionally. From 1980 to 1993, she was one of the few women playing poker full time.

In 1997, Johnson won her only WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 Seven-Card Razz event, becoming the second woman ever to win an open WSOP bracelet (after Barbara Enright). She also won the California Ladies State Championship and has multiple cashes in ladies events. Her total live tournament winnings exceed $466,000 as of 2025.

• WSOP Bracelet: 1997 $1,500 Seven-Card Razz ($96,000)
• Poker Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2011 (second woman inducted)
• Women's Poker Hall of Fame: Inaugural inductee in 2008
• WPT Honors Award: Inaugural recipient in 2017 for outstanding contributions to the World Poker Tour and the poker community
• Other notable cashes include a 33rd place in the 2012 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star ($16,000) and a 10th place in the 2025 WSOP $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. ($11,561)

Johnson's impact extends far beyond the felt. She was the publisher of CardPlayer Magazine for eight years, turning it into a full-color 132-page publication before selling it. She is a founding member of the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) and serves on its Board of Directors, helping standardize tournament rules worldwide.

As a co-founder of the World Poker Tour, she served as the studio audience announcer for its first six seasons. She also co-founded Card Player Cruises (33 years) and later Poker Player Cruises. In 2009, she co-founded PokerGives.org, a nonprofit facilitating charitable donations from poker players.

Johnson has been a vocal advocate for women in poker, hosting hundreds of ladies events globally. She also taught at WPT Boot Camp for six years and served as the original chairperson of the Poker Players Association.

While not explicitly documented, Johnson's success in mixed games like Razz, H.O.R.S.E., and Omaha highlights her versatility and deep understanding of multiple poker variants. Her strategy emphasizes patience and precision, consistent with her career longevity.

Known as 'The First Lady of Poker', a nickname coined by Mike Sexton, Johnson is celebrated not only for her tournament success but for her tireless work in poker's growth and organization. Her honors include induction into the Poker Hall of Fame and the Women's Poker Hall of Fame, and she continues to compete and contribute to the poker community into her 70s.