Understanding Jennifer Harman-Traniello

When you look at Jennifer Harman-Traniello, you can hardly believe that she is one of the fiercest poker competitors on the planet. Her small frame, cute face, and welcoming personality lures most observers into thinking that she could not possibly be a cutthroat poker player. Yet anyone who is serious about poker knows that when Jennifer is focused and healthy, she is amongst the very best in the game (especially Limit Hold 'em).

Jennifer was born and raised in Reno, surrounded by card players and gamblers. She says that her interest was first sparked for the game when she was 8 years old, when she studied the play at her father's regular game. Poker had an instant appeal to her, even at that young age. While other little girls were out jumping rope and riding their bikes, young Jennifer Harman was trying to convince her cousins and friends to play poker with her. By the time she was 13 years old she was regularly beating her father's friends at their home games. By the age of 16, she was sneaking into the casinos and buying into the cash games at the poker room. While other players only had to play their cards, she also had to try to duck extra attention to keep from being carded due to being so remarkably under age. It was at this casino that Jennifer first discovered Texas Hold 'em. You see, her father had taught her the more popular game of the time - Stud. When she turned 21, she was already a full-time professional poker player, finding supreme steady success at the Limit Hold 'em tables. She quickly progressed up the playing levels, using winnings from the $5/10 to fuel a jump into higher limits. She did well enough at $10/20 to step up again. In just a few months time she was building her reputation at the $30/60 tables.

Today, Jennifer is undoubtedly one of the most universally well-respected players on the scene. She is considered to be the best female player in the world by most of her fellow pros. Likewise, she is considered to be one of the top players in the world of either gender by most. The respect that she garners is well earned. Harman-Traniello is a regular in what is known as "the Big Game," a regular mixed cash game hosted by the Bellagio that boasts $4000/8000 limits. Among a few other top-named pros, the regular participants at this game include legends such as Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, and Chip Reese. Although no accurate records exist for this game, most in the poker industry say that Jennifer has been one of the biggest long-term winners at this brutal table. Although Jennifer is usually focused on the biggest and toughest cash games she can find, she has begun to enter more tournaments as the popularity of tournament-style poker has boomed. This has only helped to bolster her already elevated status in poker lore, as she has scored 2 WSOP bracelets (one in Deuce-to-Seven and one in Limit Hold 'em), and a second place at the WSOP circuit event at the Rio.

It appears that Jen is not only an amazing poker player, she must be an outstanding poker coach. You see, Jen has helped her husband (Marco Traniello) to become a driving force in professional poker. Marco had a remarkable run at the 2005 WSOP, with 7 cash finishes overall. Not bad for a guy who just started learning the game a year ago from his wife. Marco was vacationing in Las Vegas from his home country of Italy in 1999 when he first met Jennifer. The two fell in love, and Marco was soon in Las Vegas opening a hair studio. He never dreamed he would eventually give up hair dressing for professional poker, but the poker bug infected him as well.

The poker world held their collective breaths in 2004 when it was learned that Jennifer's health was deteriorating. Due to a severe kidney problem, the once lively and lovable Jennifer was under a battery of medical tests & treatments, and in need of a kidney transplant. Her close friends like Daniel Negreanu and Todd Brunson were openly concerned, and she was missed at the big cash games and on the tournament trail. Luckily, a niece of Jennifer's was found to be an appropriate donor match. After receiving her relative's healthy kidney, Jen has made an outstanding recovery. She now uses her visibility to help advocate for organ donation via fundraising, speaking, and appearances.

Jennifer Harman-Traniello: Play Profile & Prediction

PLAY PROFILE: Jennifer Harman is feared by players who know her style, especially at any Limit Hold 'em table. I've heard a few pros call her the best Limit HE player alive today. She certainly has an amazing ability to read her opposition and play her cards accordingly. She is considered aggressive and fearless. Because her regular game includes some of the best poker players ever (Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, etc.), she will never be intimidated at any table. Instead, her confidence and poker savvy have often intimidated men that are twice her size! She has worked with her good friend Daniel Negreanu to improve her No Limit HE play, in which has shown excellent results in the WPT and other events. Her success at mixed games shows that she is well skilled at all variations of poker. Although normally very focused, Jen has been known to steam if she takes a bad beat (especially from a bad player). It may be a benefit that her husband is now a serious and improving poker pro, as the two can help each other and both concentrate on the tournament and cash game lifestyle.

PREDICTIONS: Many casual poker fans do not realize how accomplished and skilled she really is. I believe that this is a matter of timing, as televised poker exploded onto the scene just as Jennifer missed many major events (including '04 WSOP), or played while very ill, due to her kidney issues. Jennifer is just now coming back to have the energy that 15 (or more) day poker marathons require, which is the norm these days with the lead-in events coupled with the main event of the World Poker Tour and WSOP series. As her physical health continues to improve, so should her tournament play. Look for Jen to score more bracelets in the coming years. With so many newer players focused on the sheer aggressive style of No Limit HE, I would suspect that Harman-Traniello will be able to adapt to contend for bracelets in the more precise and patient game of Limit HE. If that success does indeed come at the tables, Jennifer may quickly ascend to become the most widely recognized female face in poker. Her interesting life story, her infectious smile, and her genuine personality make her very attractive to companies looking for endorsers. Already a member of Team Full Tilt, I could foresee her being a spokesperson for any variety of poker and non-poker related items.

More Poker Player Profiles

♣ Andy Bloch ♣ Annie Duke ♣ Antonio Esfandiari ♣ Chris Ferguson ♣ Dan Harrington ♣ Daniel Negreanu ♣ Doyle Brunson ♣ Greg Raymer ♣ Gus Hansen ♣ Howard Lederer ♣ James Woods

♣ Jennifer Harman ♣ Johnny Chan ♣ Mark Seif ♣ Mike Matusow ♣ Phil Gordon ♣ Phil Hellmuth ♣ Phil Ivey ♣ Phil Laak ♣ Poker Hotties ♣ Sam Farha ♣ TJ Cloutier

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