Maureen Bloechlinger
Globetrotting Poker Women founder and World Poker Federation Europe head, Maureen Bloechlinger, has been in Jeju since the opening day of Gods of Poker, keen to experience the new Cronus Structure and the newest festival in Asia. After putting in time across multiple events, she shared some of her thoughts, especially on the rising trajectory of women in poker.
I read all the documentation before coming here to know what to expect. I've only been playing the low to mid stakes, and I kind of like it. I think it is very innovative but I still see many players register late and not sit down at the beginning. In my opinion, other brands cut off their late registration too late.
Seen in the region attending several events per year, Bloechlinger's connection to Asia runs deeper. The poker culture is what keeps her flying from Zurich to these events.
I really like the Asian stops. It's a different vibe at the table. The players are very polite unlike in other cities where every five seconds it's, ‘floor, floor, floor’. So, yeah, so I really like that aspect. The play is pretty good, too. Very organized. Top dealers, top floor staff, and the food. You can't beat the food!
Yet the biggest reason she supports Gods of Poker is trust. She’s known founders Ray Chiu and Lloyd Fontillas for years and said, “I know game integrity will be followed.".
That especially matters when she recommends destinations to her women’s network. If she points them somewhere, she wants them to feel safe, welcomed, and confident in the structure. The fact that GOP offers a daily women’s event, something she rarely sees even in Europe or the U.S., stands out.
That’s pretty awesome. If a series has women’s events, I prioritize that series.
Bloechlinger has spent years pushing visibility for women in poker and believes one of the biggest barriers for women is simply that first step into the poker room.
Many women think it’s like golf or chess, that you need a score or club membership. I always tell them to ‘just show up.' The first time is scary because it’s unfamiliar, but once you know the ropes, it becomes a lot easier.
She’s seeing encouraging signs in Jeju. Compared to her recent stop in Portugal where she counted only five women in the field, GOP’s turnout is noticeably bigger. Community matters, and she hopes the visibility here encourages other women to try a major Asia-Pacific event.
Yuri Ishida and Maureen Bloechlinger
As a poker lover, her own travel is driven partly by competition. Bloechlinger currently sits second on the global female flaghunter leaderboard.
“It’s a competition between me and Yuri, she’s number one right now, I’m number two.” she laughed, “but we like seeing each other, too.”
Whether she’s advising players about which stops are safe or helping women take their first seat at a table, Bloechlinger’s mission remains constant: make the game more accessible, more welcoming, and more global for women.
One stop that I'm pretty sure my group members will love is Cambodia. They are always asking about Cambodia. So hopefully I can bring a group there because Gods Of Poker is happening over Easter next year when many of the Europeans, Americans, and Canadians have off.