AJ Rudolph/Courtesy of Abby Merk.
- Abby Merk, 23, learned to play poker three years ago. She's already gone pro.
- She now can earn more than $11,000 in a single game.
- She's an instructor at Poker Power, a company that teaches women workplace skills through poker.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Abby Merk, a 23-year-old poker player, instructor, and content creator. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When I first started learning to play poker about three years ago, I thought there was more luck involved. I thought it was gambling. But once you dive into poker, you understand there's always a correct decision.