Online legend Annette Obrestad finally got to see her name in red when she signed on as the newest Full Tilt Pro this week, just in time to host the FTOPS XVI Main Event on May 2nd.
Obrestad’s years of play on Full Tilt have paid off big for the young rising star, who has made over $3.6 million in tournaments and Sit & Go’s. With her new pro status, Full Tilt is hoping to see Obrestad win big in her first World Series of Poker this year to solidify her image as one of the best young players in the world.
From her home and birthplace of Stavanger, Norway, Obrestad became famous online for accomplishing several amazing feats, including turning $0 into her current bankroll. Like Chris Ferguson who attempted to do in his $10K Challenge, she started with no money in her account playing freeroll tournaments. But unlike Chris Ferguson, who’s goal was to get up to ten thousand dollars, she has turned that freeroll money into millions. She is best known for a personal skill challenge where she won a $4, 180 person Sit & Go without ever looking at her hole cards – that is, playing blind.
Though she is only 21, Obrestad already has an amazing career of wins, including the first WSOP Europe Main Event in 2007, the 2010 Aussie Millions Pot Limit Omaha Event, and 2nd place at the 2007 EPT Dublin event. These wins made her the youngest person to ever win a tournament over $10,000 buy-in, the WSOP money leader among women, and a feared contender at any table. This year will be her first WSOP in America.
Full Tilt was able to sign her after she left Betfair because a UK court ruled that due to her age, the site could not use her in advertisements. Their loss is Full Tilt’s gain, because as a true champion in both online and live events, Obrestad could become one of the biggest names in poker.