Watch: Maureen Bloechlinger on playing the world one poker table at a time

Matthew Busuttil

At the SiGMA Poker Tour in Brazil, Maureen Bloechlinger sat down with SiGMA to reflect on her extraordinary poker journey. A seasoned tournament player and the founder of Globetrotting Poker, Maureen has built a reputation not only for her strategic acumen at the tables but also for her unique mission: collecting national flags through international cashes. With 31 flags to her name and counting, her commitment to poker is more than a pastime; it is a purposeful pursuit of mastery, adventure, and cultural exchange.

Commercial banner

A professional life shaped by poker

Since 2012, Maureen has immersed herself in the poker ecosystem, balancing gameplay with a marketing role that sees her supporting events across Europe. ��I also do some social media. I do marketing for poker events throughout Europe,�� she shared, offering insight into her dual-role lifestyle.

While her husband maintains a traditional career in Switzerland, Maureen has made poker her full-time vocation. ��At the moment, my life is basically poker. I eat, sleep poker,�� she stated. Her dedication extends beyond live tables; she��s an active online player and frequently competes in satellite tournaments that offer entry into prestigious live events.

The importance of study and support

A core component of Maureen��s success is her disciplined approach to continuous improvement. She is an active member of a study group and relies on advanced training tools like GTO Wizard to fine-tune her strategy. ��A lot of it’s just practising more training�� I rely on the poker study group. I asked them if I had played this correctly. Did I do something wrong?��

She also credits mentorship and community as key drivers of her growth, noting the role of Ivonne Montealegre as a guiding figure. ��Yvonne’s one of my mentors, I would say�� she guides me for sure, and I wouldn’t be here without her.��

Chasing flags and unforgettable experiences

Maureen��s most distinctive goal, however, is her quest to collect country flags by cashing in on tournaments worldwide. ��Every time a tournament player cashes in a tournament in a different country, you get that country’s flag. So at the moment I have 31 flags.�� Her collection includes rare entries such as Andorra and India, each one representing a unique story and memory.

Commercial banner

She recalled seizing an opportunity to play in India post-pandemic: ��It was right after Covid�� the World Poker Tour advertised they��re going back to Goa, and I said to myself, you know, it’s now or never�� I went, I played the tournament, and I cashed.��

This global pursuit is validated through The Hendon Mob, the poker world’s leading tournament database, which tracks her achievements. ��It��s really the go-to database for tournament poker players�� it also has this flag hunter ranking.��

Facing setbacks with resilience

Despite her impressive record, Maureen is candid about the challenges of maintaining emotional equilibrium during slumps. ��Right now, I��m on a downswing. I’m holding the best cards, but they’re not winning�� You have to be mentally fit to handle it.��

Still, she remains undeterred, determined to turn the tide in future events. ��I’m playing The Hendon Mob tournament next, so hopefully my luck changes a little and I can cash.��

Goals and aspirations

Maureen��s poker journey is far from over. With events lined up in Malta, including the Malta Poker Festival, where she will lead the all-out activities, and long-term aspirations still in sight, her ambitions are crystal clear. ��I really want to win a championship or main event. I also want to win some World Series of Poker ring or a bracelet.��

Above all, her flag-hunting mission remains an enduring priority. ��I want to try to be the number one flag hunter in the world. So I need to catch the current leader, who is Yuri.��

From her first 바카라 visit in 2012 to the SiGMA Poker Tour in Brazil, Maureen Bloechlinger continues to define what it means to live and breathe the game, proving that poker, when fuelled by passion and persistence, can truly take you around the world.

Commercial banner