Exclusive: Xuan Liu Interview

Xuan made poker history by shipping her very first Triton event on the first try, not too bad for a debutant who prefers cash games before tournaments. This was also the last performance as a WPT Global ambassador - what a way to end the partnership!
Big thanks to the team at WPT Global for sorting out the interview.

Even though I haven’t been playing many MTTs I’ve watched a lot of Triton coverage throughout the years and still try to maintain competitiveness by brushing up a bit before every summer. Before an important series or event, I also make sure to lightly sift through the tools I have available to me and spend a little more time on the spots I’m unfamiliar with that come up often.

Triton is the current gold standard for prestige and a well-run, well-respected series. There’s only a few series’ every year and each event have some of the best players who have ever played the game competing.

I’ve been in the industry for a long time and have always evolved with its trends and constraints. As I’m in the spotlight more than ever these days I am passionate about promoting poker as a rewarding, social, human game suitable for hobbyists of all levels. Having said that, I think to be competitive as a professional these days you have to be consistently updating your knowledge base with all the readily accessible information out there.

At the moment Triton events are undoubtedly my favorite. I still enjoy playing on streamed cash games quite a bit and making “Hand of the Year” highlight reels because that allows the game to reach a wider audience and show how dynamic it can be.

Sometimes when you’re running bad you just must force yourself to take some small wins to regain confidence and get back in the groove. That could mean lowering stakes, selling more action, quitting a good game early, simplifying your strategies, or all the above. I am also a huge proponent of having other sources of income and being hyper-realistic about your earning potential in the industry.

All my life experiences, the lows and failures, as much as the highs and successes, have shaped who I am today and my abilities at the table. I wanted to learn more about those fields because I already had a profound interest in human nature. I barely graduated because I was playing too much poker, but I’m really glad I did.

It was too tough for me to be studious enough at the time to compete with the best of my peers who were getting great opportunities. Being a first-generation Chinese Canadian means I also didn’t have the connections to fast track in life, but having the poker boom happen at the same time made me realize there was a whole world of exciting possibilities that even I could have an edge in with limited help. I was an opportunist who is lucky enough to still be able to play a game I love for a living.

My priority is still cash games, but I certainly have an itch for more trophies right now.