琳达·约翰逊

Linda Johnson was born on October 14, 1953, in Long Island, New York. Before entering the poker world, she worked for the United States Postal Service and frequently traveled to Las Vegas to play blackjack. Her father, a career service member, advised her that poker was a better gambling option since it is not played against the house.

Johnson began playing poker in 1974. Her most notable achievement came in 1997 when she won a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the $1,500 Seven-Card Razz event, earning $96,000. She has 15 WSOP cashes, 4 final tables, and total live tournament winnings exceeding $469,659 as of 2025. In addition to WSOP, she has cashed in World Poker Tour (WPT) events, including a 33rd-place finish in the 2012 Bay 101 Shooting Star main event for $16,000. She also won the California Ladies State Championship and numerous ladies events worldwide.

Johnson is widely recognized as a co-founder of the World Poker Tour (WPT) and served as the studio announcer for its first six seasons. She was a founding member of the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) and continues to serve on its Board of Directors. For eight years, she worked as the publisher of Card Player magazine before selling it to Barry Shulman; she still contributes articles. She also co-founded PokerGives.org in 2009, a nonprofit facilitating charitable donations from poker players. Johnson taught at WPT Boot Camp for six years and was the original chairperson of the Poker Players Alliance.

Johnson was an inaugural inductee into the Women's Poker Hall of Fame in 2008 and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011, becoming only the second woman (after Barbara Enright) to receive that honor. In 2017, the WPT presented her with the inaugural WPT Honors Award for her outstanding contributions to the poker community. Nicknamed "The First Lady of Poker" by Mike Sexton, she has been a tireless advocate for women in poker, hosting hundreds of ladies events worldwide. Her influence extends through her writing, consulting, and charity work, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering figure in the game.