Engaged Lesbian Wins Poker Tourney

Out pro poker player Vanessa Selbst, who is engaged to be married, just won over $1.4M at the PokerStars High Rollers Tournament, beating an all-male field of players.

The talk before the High Roller final was of the record Vanessa Selbst looked certain to break. Selbst, 28, would become the highest-earning woman in poker if she finished fifth or better, overtaking Kathy Leibert with more than $6 million to her name. In the end Selbst cleared that mark, by some way and in some style, winning the $25,000 High Roller title and a first prize of $1,424,420. To consider Selbst's career in mere numbers misses the enormity of her achievements. Since 2006 Selbst has won numerous major titles, including two World Series of Poker bracelets, two NAPT main events, and the Partouche main event. The PCA becomes the latest, and it won't be the last. Selbst says she she plays for the money and joy of the game, not statistics, but the significance of her achievement isn't lost on her. "There's plenty of room for women to get involved in this game, to get really good at it, and to beat all the guys," she said.

In the video below Selbst talks about her engagement. Note the matter-of-fact and pleasant way in which the host broaches the topic.

RELATED: Earlier this month an openly gay man won the Pro Bowling Association championship and ESPN aired his triumphant kiss his with his husband. (Poker story tipped by JMG reader Bess)