The Real Poker Girls of London
Welcome to The Real Poker Girls of London. This podcast takes you into the exciting world of poker through the eyes of women who play the game. Poker is unique because women compete on the same level as men, making it a thrilling sport where skills and innovative strategies are key. With prize money that can reach up to $12 million, the excitement is at an all-time high!
Join your hosts, Kerryjane Craigie and Lydia Cugudda, from London's iconic Hippodrome Casino as they navigate the London poker scene as industry leaders, players and ambassadors of the game. This podcast gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the poker industry and celebrates the incredible women changing the game and breaking stereotypes.
We’ll discuss everything from game strategies to poker players' lifestyles. The Real Poker Girls of London shines a light on the lively community of characters in poker and welcomes fans of all backgrounds. Please tune in for inspiring stories of hard work, determination, and empowerment, and learn about the amazing women making their mark in this exciting sport.
The Real Poker Girls of London is produced by The Real Poker Girls Media, which launched The Real Poker Girls of Las Vegas in 2023.
The Real Poker Girls of London
Episode 3 Alexa O'Brien
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In this episode of The Real Poker Girls of London, hosts Kerryjane Craigie and Lydia Cugudda welcome writer, journalist, scientist, and poker player Alexa O’Brien for a wide-ranging, thoughtful, and frequently hilarious conversation that blends poker, psychology, parenting, and life skills.
Alexa shares her unconventional journey into poker—introduced by a fellow writer—and how the game became a powerful intellectual and emotional counterbalance to the solitary world of writing. From early low-stakes tournaments in London casinos to falling in love with the strategic depth of the game, Alexa explains why poker became more than just a pastime.
The episode dives deep into Alexa’s acclaimed book The Truth Detective, which explores decision-making, risk, and imperfect information through the lens of poker and cognitive science. She discusses the book’s evolution, its recognition within the poker world, and its broader mission: reframing poker as a cerebral, skill-based discipline rather than pure gambling.
Key topics include:
- Poker as a tool for critical thinking, emotional regulation, and resilience
- Parenting with a “poker mindset” and teaching children how to handle uncertainty
- Why poker uniquely prepares people to navigate real-world decision-making
- Women’s poker, community-building, and the atmosphere created at women-led events
- The now-iconic Real Poker Girls pig trophy, Percy Pig debates, and classic British humor
Alexa also reflects on her BBC documentary work, her upcoming projects, and stepping into a new role supporting live poker streams at the Hippodrome while Kerryjane is away—bringing her analytical mind and storytelling skills directly to the felt.
Smart, funny, reflective, and deeply human, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in poker as a life skill, not just a card game.
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