Katja Thater
Born in 1966, Katja Thater, a native of Hamburg, discovered her passion for poker relatively late in 1999. From 2006 to 2011, she made her mark on numerous prestigious poker tournaments worldwide, achieving remarkable results and even securing a coveted WSOP bracelet. Additionally, she enjoyed several years as a member of the esteemed Pokerstars Pro Team.
Renowned for her aggressive style of play, she earned nicknames such as Lady Horror or Miss Slick. In interviews, she likened poker to warfare, solidifying her reputation as the enfant terrible of the Irish poker scene by making derogatory remarks about her male opponents at the table. Interestingly, Thater is a peace-loving individual in her personal life, serving as the director of an advertising agency and a horse breeder.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | 2023 All-Time Money List | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deutschland | 2005 | All-rounder | 1 | 132.653 € |
437.456 € |
4.080 | - |
| Hometown: | Hamburg is where they reside, specifically in Wedemark, Niedersachsen. |
| Interesting facts: | Her husband, also a poker professional, stated that he wouldn't want to be friends with Katja Thater, whom he knows from the poker table, in private. |
| Key moments in poker: | The invitation to join the Irish team at the Poker Nations Cup in 2006 and the victory at the WSOP mRazz tournament in 2007. |
| Number of WSOP Bracelets: | 1 |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | 0 |
| Total tournament winnings: | Total tournament winnings: €437,456 (As of 2023) |
First experiences with poker.
In 1999, Katja Thater played poker for the first time. While her husband, the poker pro Jan-Christoph von Halle, took a restroom break during a stud tournament at Casino Baden in Scotland, Katja, who had barely been interested in poker before, stepped in to play a few hands on his behalf. The game captivated her, and she subsequently regularly engaged in cash games at European casinos while her husband competed in tournaments.
In 2003, she made her debut tournament appearance in Las Vegas, where she emerged victorious. Following that, her participation in tournaments multiplied across the globe, ultimately leading her to make the decision to become a professional poker player in 2005. She truly made a name for herself at the WSOP in 2006, securing two impressive money finishes.
The biggest successes
In 2006, Katja Thater was bestowed with a special honor, being called up to represent Ireland in the poker team, effectively becoming part of the Irish poker national squad. She had the privilege to compete in the Poker Nations Cup in Wales, where she showcased her skills as the most formidable Irish player. Leading her team alongside seasoned players like Michael Keiner and Roland Specht, they triumphantly secured the third position.
She showcased her versatility and all-around skills in a stunning victory at the 2010 PCA tournament in the Bahamas, triumphing in the 8 Game format. Despite the bracelets count and her standing on the All Time Money List not fully capturing her prowess, she is widely regarded in the poker community as one of the most talented female players of all time. Her impressive performance in the Bahamas further solidified her reputation as a formidable allrounder, leaving no doubt about her skills and abilities at the poker table.
Katja Thater's Career Today and Personal Life
After 2010, Katja Thater decided to step back from her professional poker career after four successful years in the pro scene. She then went on to run a marketing agency, dabbled in horse breeding, and maintained a popular blog about her life. Despite having left behind both her poker pro career, horse breeding, and marketing, and now living a secluded life with her family in Wedemark, Lower Saxony, Katja Thater still finds herself drawn back to the poker tables from time to time. Most recently, she participated in the PCA 2023 in the Bahamas in the 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo tournament, and after a long hiatus, she immediately secured the second place.
