‘UNJADED’: “I didn’t let it break me”

By Dana Craven

To this day, three years after the Jack-Four “Event” occurred at Hustler Casino Live, strong opinions and numerous unproven conspiracy theories abound when “The Robbi” is discussed at poker tables all around the world. The woman at the center of it all—Robbi Jade Lew—continues to hold her head high as she lives out her dream of playing the game she’s grown to love.

Unexpectedly becoming enshrined in poker history, despite being scrutinized for the choices she made in those short moments, little did she know she would represent what “grace under pressure” truly looks like. In this interview, Robbi takes us on her journey from being an unknown recreational player to becoming the biggest source of contention this decade within the very poker community she had grown to love.

Getting to Know Robbi

Like so many, you and your family came to the U.S. when you were a child. Tell us about that journey.

I was born in Saudi Arabia and raised in a very academic, science-heavy household—my dad’s a physicist, my mom’s a physician. I also have an identical twin sister and a wonderful brother who, wisely for the family’s sanity, stayed far away from poker. We eventually settled in Northern California (when I was 5 years old) and growing up in the Bay Area hard-wired curiosity and problem-solving into me. That mix—immigrant grit plus a home full of science—quietly shaped how I think, compete, and keep my cool when the stakes get loud.

Tell us about your studies at UC Santa Barbara.

I had the best college experience anyone could ask for. To this day, my college friends are still my closest circle—we’re actually on a trip together right now. I studied Law & Society and Philosophy, which gave me a deeper appreciation for how people think, argue, and perceive fairness. I was also extremely social—I did the classic college jobs like working at Abercrombie & Fitch, but also had a once-in-a-lifetime experience interning at the DA’s office during the Michael Jackson trial. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade my UCSB years with anyone else’s college experience.

Discovering Poker

When and how were you introduced to the game?

Poker came into my life in the same way it does for many people—through family and friends. It started casually, a home game here and there, but it quickly escalated once I realized how layered the game was. My interest really grew during the pandemic, when I suddenly had the time and space to dive deeper into it. I quickly realized it’s one of those rare things that’s easy to learn but takes a lifetime to master.

Did it take you a while to pick it up or was it something that just clicked for you?

It clicked instantly. Not in the sense that I was a natural prodigy, but in the sense that my brain loved the challenge. The blend of math, psychology, and improvisation felt like home. And the more I played, the more it consumed me.

What’s your favorite hand now?

You’d expect me to say Jack–Four, right? My actual favorite hand is Jack–Ten suited—it’s versatile, sneaky, and always gives you room to maneuver. But nothing gets me more excited than seeing two kings. I could care less about aces. And of course, I can’t ignore Jack–Four. At first, it was a little annoying having everyone want to play that hand against me, but now I’ve completely embraced it. Honestly, it makes me happy to see that people enjoy it—especially when they get away with bluffing me with it. It’s become part of the fun.

Robbi’s Journey to Hustler Casino Live

During that time, who were some of your favorite players to watch on Hustler Casino Live and other poker shows?

Truthfully, I never really watched Hustler Casino Live before I played on it. I knew it existed and had seen clips here and there, but I wasn’t someone who followed every episode or memorized people’s styles. So in a sense, I went in pretty much cold turkey. Looking back, I think that helped me—I didn’t build up any preconceived ideas about who I “should” be intimidated by. I just played the game in front of me.