The offspring of two teachers, Annie was destined for a life of academia, but while she derived from an educated background, it was also a competitive one in which a pack of cards became the order of the day.

Having majored in English and Psychology, Annie was whisked away by her then husband Ben Duke to Billings, Montana where she quickly began earning her crust at the local casinos.

Bankrolled and encouraged by brother Howard Lederer, Annie played the 1994 WSOP before going on to win multiple events including a bracelet in 2004 and the winner-takes-all Tournament of Champions for ,000,000.