Reality TV star: check. Producer: check. Entrepreneur, business owner, and full-time mom: triple check. Make time to break out as a successful recreational poker player? No problem!
By Dana Craven
Princess Love definitely knows how to “cook” because this young woman has a lot of irons in the fire. Just this year, she has already hosted the grand opening of her nail salon and filmed a new movie. While on the set of ADOPTED, a new thriller scheduled to release this fall, Princess took time from her insanely busy schedule to answer some questions for us about her poker journey.
According to The Hendon Mob Poker Database, since April of 2023, Princess has accumulated an incredible 31 results, with total live earnings so far of $296,727. The very first result posted boasts a first-place finish. In the following months, Princess fought her way to many final tables, even battling Jonathan Little heads-up at the StormX Invitational. She later won the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational II in early 2024.
The poker prowess of Princess Love doesn’t stop with serious tournament results. She loves to host friends and play cash games. In the last year, she has even hosted two games on Hustler Casino Live. Plus, we may hear her behind the mic and in the booth giving poker commentary one day.
Being in front of the camera is something the Oakland-born beauty is accustomed to from her years as an actress. Before diving into poker, she had a starring role in the VH1 reality TV hit series “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” which aired from 2014 to 2019, chronicling the lives of several people in the Hollywood hip-hop music industry, including her husband, R&B recording artist Ray J.
She also appeared in Camp Joy and The Deadly Getaway. before branching off into production, producing One Mo Chance, and The Conversation: Ray J & Princess: Part 1.
Her rollercoaster marriage was undoubtedly affected by the spotlight and constant pursuit by paparazzi, sadly resulting in a recently anounced divorce. In spite of the negatives, Princess believes that her time in front of the camera has given her a significant advantage at the poker table, and being a woman also plays a role. In an interview with fellow diva Robbi Jade Lew, where they discussed this dynamic, she stated, “I feel like I have an edge because men can’t read us. We can read them, but they can’t read us.”
In this exclusive interview with Rounder Magazine, Princess shares with us her poker journey along with a major announcement.
R: In your own words WHO is Princess Love?
PL: Princess Love is a mom, entrepreneur, actress, producer, poker player and creator at heart. I was born in Oakland, California and raised in Austin, Texas. I have two children, Melody (7) and Epik (5). They are the center of my universe and my world.
I was first introduced to the world through television, but my passion has always been building things I believe in. I have a cosmetic line, PRELLA, and I just opened my first nail salon located in Los Angeles, PRELLA Nail + Beauty Bar. Whether I’m creating in the beauty world, showing up for my kids, or holding my own at the poker table, I believe in moving with purpose, strength, and authenticity.
R: Where does your competitive nature come from?
PL: I’m a Leo, so competition runs in my blood. I don’t just rise to the challenge, I chase it. I love when the odds are against me, because proving people wrong is my favorite sport and being the underdog, that’s where I shine best.
R: How did you discover poker? Who taught you how to play? What are a few things about the game and/or the industry that drew you in?
PL: I learned how to play poker at a family gathering. I always wanted to learn poker and chess. My cousin offered to teach me the basics. I was so intrigued by the sport, I decided to take it seriously and start studying.
R: When did the game of NLHE click for you? What was that “ah-ha!” moment?
PL: No Limit Hold’em really clicked for me the moment I understood the power of strategy over luck. Once I realized the value in position, how to isolate opponents, and that you can win by being smart. By reading people, applying pressure, and making bold plays, it changed everything. It wasn’t just about cards anymore. It became about control, psychology, and knowing when to strike. That’s when I fell in love with the game.
R: Who are your top three poker players to watch and why?
PL: My top 3 poker players are:
- Kristen Foxen
- Maria Ho
- Chance Kornuth
Kristen and Maria are two of my favorite female players, they dominate in a male-dominated game and always bring fearless aggression. Maria coaches me from time to time and I’ve played with Kristen a few times. Both are women who inspire me. Chance is a crusher and I love his style of play as well as his thought process when it comes to reading people and extracting value.
R: If you had an unlimited bankroll and could play any tournament in the world, what would it be and why?
PL: If I had an unlimited bankroll, I’d be playing the Triton Series, it’s always been my dream. That’s the ultimate stage with the biggest buy-ins and the best players in the world.
R: What’s your process for preparing for a cash game session and/or a big tournament?
PL: I don’t really have a process for cash game sessions because it’s more fun to me.. I like to relax and have a drink. For a big tournament I usually meditate, workout and drink either a latte or green tea.
R: What are some skill sets from your life experiences in the spotlight that you tap into when playing live poker?
PL: Being in the spotlight taught me how to stay composed under pressure. I’m used to the bright lights and high-stress situations, so when I’m at the poker table, I don’t fold under pressure. I stay focused, play my game, and make sharp decisions no matter the stakes
R: What are some tips and tricks you have for new players dealing with the stresses that come with the live game experience?
PL: For new players in high-stress or live game situations, my biggest tip is: Play your game. Believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Don’t let your opponents or the moment shake you. Stay composed, stay confident. There’s a reason you’ve made it this far.
R: What are some of the resources (books, streams, etc.) that you recommend for new players?
PL: I recommend checking out poker coaching platforms like Jonathan Little’s Poker Coaching App and Chance Kornuth’s Chip Leader Coaching. Both offer high-level insights and training tools that can really help elevate your game.
R: Do you have any crazy poker superstitions?
PL: I’m not superstitious at the poker table, but I do like to use my kids’ toys as chip holders from time to time. It brings me a little good luck and reminds me to stay patient, make smart decisions, and play with purpose. It’s like my kids are watching me.
R: As poker players, we tend to be the only people in our immediate circles that play the game. What are some common misconceptions you come across?
PL: One of the biggest misconceptions about me playing poker is that I’m a gambler who loses a lot of money. But I’m actually not a gambler at all. Before I discovered poker, I barely touched blackjack or roulette and I didn’t even enjoy going to the casino. That all changed when I learned how to play poker and realized it’s a game of skill, strategy, and discipline.
R: Tell us what your experiences and successes in poker have been like for you so far.
PL: Poker has been an incredible journey for me. I’ve only been playing a little over two years, and in that time, I’ve made some amazing runs and real progress. The deep finishes I’ve had are a sign that my game is improving and I’m really proud of that. I’ve already had the chance to play against some of the biggest names in the world, which, for someone still early in their poker career, feels like a huge accomplishment.
R: What are your poker goals for 2025?
PL: My poker goals for 2025 are simple but meaningful: keep getting better, keep studying, and keep applying pressure with the same passion I had when I first fell in love with the game. I want to stay locked in on improving my craft while never losing sight of why I started. I genuinely enjoy it. Progress means everything to me, but having fun along the way is what keeps the journey alive.
R: How do you manage to balance the demands of running a business, being a mom, being an actor, a model, and a Reality TV star while also pursuing your poker dreams?
PL: I wear many hats, and I love each one. But no matter how full life gets I always make time for poker because it’s something I genuinely love. It’s not about the money, I’d play for free. Whether it’s a charity event or a high-stakes game, I just enjoy the game. Everyone deserves a hobby they’re passionate about, and for me, that’s poker.
R: What’s your favorite song that gets you hyped up before a big tournament?
PL: “Let Her Cook” by GloRilla.
R: Would you like to give a shoutout to any poker communities or organizations you’re a part of?
PL: I’d like to give a huge shout out to the CPT (Celebrity Poker Tour), WPT and Hustler Casino for always being so supportive. Also want to give a major shout out to Maverick Gaming, Eric Person’s new poker collective agency I just signed to. I’m honored to be part of a team that’s truly shaping the future of poker.
Princess of the Poker-verse
The spectacular “poker world” seems to be more of a universe. The reach of the horizon looks to be an unknown destination now more than ever. The rumor mill says we’re approaching the next boom, others think we’re already in it, and, of course, there are those who believe the game is dying.
A lot of new players found or rediscovered poker during the pandemic. For many, it was the Moneymaker Effect. For some, it was the release of the movie ROUNDERS a few years prior. For those before, it was even seeing Amarillo Slim on Johnny Carson nearly six decades ago. Poker was there. Poker will always be there.
With many “Trailblazers of the Poker-verse,” we’ve seen Princess Love inspire and attract her fans from all the industries she works. From a casual hobby she picked up at a family gathering to a full blown mission-in-life, Princess Love continues to keep an eye on her path in the “Poker-verse” while maintaining her many endeavors and obligations in life.
Her welcoming demeanor and her cool-headed composure under pressure should be an inspiration to us all. The sheer volume of accomplishments in a short amount of time should also be a clear indicator to put Princess Love on your “One’s to Watch” list.
View the online magazine here. Purchase the print edition here.
*Princess Love burst onto the poker scene when she finished 40th out of a field of 3,835 in the 2023 WPT World Championship for $132,500. She followed it up by winning the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational II in 2024.
Photos by Shannon Laurine. Photo at WPT World Championship courtesy of Drew Amato/WPT
