Annette Obrestad is a Norwegian poker player who gained fame for her bold and astute playing style. Poker fans around the world know her story—how a young girl from Norway made history by winning one of poker’s biggest prizes.
How It All Started
Annette was born on September 18, 1988, in Sandnes, Norway. Her parents separated when she was four, but she grew up happy, spending time with both parents. She especially loved playing card games with her dad, who taught her how to play poker when she was still very young.
By age 15, Annette was already hooked on poker. Since she was too young to deposit money online, she joined free poker tournaments, called freerolls. In one of these, she won $9 and turned it into a huge bankroll, all before she turned 18.
Rising to Poker Fame
Annette started her poker career online under the name Annette_15. She didn’t put in any of her own money. Instead, she built her bankroll by playing—and winning—freeroll tournaments.
At just 18 years old, Annette made history by winning the 2007 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event in London. She took home £1 million (about $2 million at the time) and became the youngest player ever to win a World Series of Poker bracelet. She’s still the youngest winner today.
Her aggressive, fearless style made her stand out. She didn’t just win tournaments—she changed the way people thought about young poker players. One of her most famous moments was winning a 180-player online tournament without looking at her cards. She played purely by reading her opponents’ behavior.
Big Wins and Poker Highlights
Here are some of Annette’s most impressive poker achievements:
- Youngest-ever WSOP bracelet winner at 18.
- First WSOPE Main Event Champion.
- First woman to win a WSOP Main Event.
- Won a 180-player online tournament without checking her cards.
- Earned over $3.9 million in live poker tournaments.
- Won over $800,000 in online poker games before age 18.
Some other big finishes:
- 2nd place at the 2007 EPT Dublin Main Event, winning $416,920.
- Won a major heads-up event at EPT London in 2010 for $187,788.
- 2nd place at the 2011 Wynn Classic Main Event for $215,922.
Life Beyond Poker
Around 2012, Annette began to lose interest in poker. She admitted she no longer wanted to spend all her time studying and competing. Poker wasn’t fun for her anymore.
Annette then focused on her health and fitness. She lost weight and wanted to become a personal trainer. Sadly, chronic pain and long-term injuries got in the way of that dream.
But Annette didn’t stop there. She found a new passion—makeup. She launched her own YouTube channel called Annette’s Makeup Corner, where she shares makeup tutorials and product reviews. The channel now has over 48,000 subscribers and more than 6 million views.
Annette also found another competitive hobby: Scrabble. She began competing in Scrabble tournaments in North America in 2022 and quickly rose to become one of the top 100 players. She even finished fourth in a big event, winning $750.
Annette’s Net Worth
Annette’s total poker winnings amount to approximately $3.9 million. On top of that, she earned extra from sponsorship deals and her successful YouTube channel. It’s estimated that her total net worth is around $3 million.
Where Is Annette Obrestad Now?
Today, Annette Obrestad is focused on her YouTube beauty channel and her Scrabble hobby. She has stepped away from professional poker and is building a new life doing what she loves.
Even though she didn’t plan to become famous, her story continues to inspire young poker players worldwide. She showed that you don’t need a big bankroll to get started—you just need skill, courage, and determination.
FAQ
What is Annette Obrestad’s net worth?
About $3 million from poker, sponsorships, and her YouTube channel.
Is Annette Obrestad still playing poker?
No, she has retired chiefly from professional poker.
What is the name of Annette’s YouTube channel?
It’s called Annette’s Makeup Corner.
Did Annette Obrestad win a tournament without looking at her cards?
Yes, she won a 180-player online tournament without looking at her cards, relying solely on her skills to read her opponents.
