Evelyn Ng is emblematic of what it takes to be successful in the modern poker age, i.e. the television age. With so many cameras hovering around the tables, it is often just as important to look good as it is to play good. And to put it mildly, Evelyn Ng looks good. She is one smoking babe, combining class, elegance, and beauty on a statuesque six-foot frame. When Evelyn sits down at the poker table, she looks like she is ready to hit a nightclub as soon as she busts out. Which is not to say she is a bad player. Evelyn Ng has some game, and she is a fiery competitor. The combination of that and her beauty will take her far in the poker world.

I also have a soft spot for Evelyn because she grew up in my hometown (the greatest city in the greatest country in the world), Toronto, Canada. Evelyn was introduced to poker at the age of 17 when she became a dealer in one of Toronto’s many underground card rooms. Like all good dealers, Evelyn observed the players who won over and over again. She quickly realized that poker is a game of skill and psychological warfare, not a question of who is the luckiest. Evelyn soon decided that she would rather play the cards than deal them, and this coincided with the advent of charity casinos and legalized poker in the city.

While rounding at the charity casinos Evelyn met the young Daniel Negreanu, another good Toronto boy. The two forged a connection and soon began dating. Although the relationship didn’t last, their friendship has remained strong to this day. Throughout the years, Daniel has served as Evelyn’s poker coach on an off and on basis. She has proved to be a quick study.

Evelyn won a lot of respect for her performance on the Ladies Night Invitational during season two of the WPT. Before that event, there were some in the poker community who ridiculed Evelyn’s selection. They said she was picked for her looks and nothing else. At the time, she was known primarily as a ring game player and Daniel Negreanu’s ex girlfriend. But when the camera’s started rolling, Evelyn proved that she came to play. She brought her A-game, outplaying a tough table that included top professionals Kathy Liebert, Jen Harman and Annie Duke. Evelyn also brought an infectious personality to the table, and by the end of the event the majority of the crowd was cheering loudly for her. Twice, Evelyn had Clonie all-in and in bad shape. Clonie managed to suck out holding K 5 to Evelyn’s K 10, and A 6 to 7 7. After that, Evelyn got rattled and moved in with Q 8. Clonie woke up with A J and came out on top.

Of course, Evelyn took this tough loss with class, smiling for the cameras and toasting Clonie with a glass of champagne. Evelyn had no reason to be disappointed, because she was the real star of the show. She showed that she is a real player, and much more than a pretty face. I expect to see some big finishes out of her in the future.