Shirley Rosario

Shirley Rosario was born in San Pedro, California, and grew up in Torrance, California, before residing in Downey, California. She established herself in the poker world not only through her play but also through her business ventures in the industry. Her career includes roles as a prop player at the Bicycle Casino, where she played multiple games, and as a commentator for the casino’s ‘Live at the Bike’ show. This show featured live ring game poker broadcasts, which later aired internationally as ‘The L.A. Poker Scene’ on The Poker Channel in the UK.

Rosario has demonstrated consistent performance in various tournaments. She won the 2005 Legends of Poker Omaha Championship and secured a second-place finish, behind Phil Hellmuth, at the 2003 L.A. Poker Classic Omaha Championship. In 2003, she also placed first in the Grand Slam of Poker No Limit Hold ’em Shootout at the Hustler Casino. Her achievements also include three HORSE event wins at the Commerce Casino in 2009, 2010, and 2011. In 2006, she underwent cancer surgery and has since been reported as cancer-free.

Beyond tournament play, Rosario owned and operated Poker-Babes.com, a poker information website. This site was sold to PokerStars in 2010. She continued to be associated with the site, contributing to its blog. Her expertise in poker, particularly regarding women in the sport, has led to her being quoted by publications such as The Times, the Associated Press, and The New York Times. In 2004, she appeared in ‘Poker for Dummies’ alongside Chris Moneymaker. As of 2018, her total live tournament winnings exceeded $500,000, with her total recorded earnings reaching $996,641.