In a year where female poker players seem to be breaking through in a big way at the 2012 WSOP, Cherish Andrews should not be underestimated.
Despite being 22 years old, Andrews brings a wealth of poker playing experience to the WSOP. She started playing poker in her hometown of St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, when she was just 14.
“My brothers played $25 tournaments with their friends and as soon as I got my first job I told them I was going to play,” she said. “They basically told me, 'Fine we’ll take your money.'”
Instead Andrews won the tournament, which turned out to be the first step in her poker journey.
Andrews devoured all the poker she could find on TV and started playing on a regular basis. She eventually found online poker and after playing very small stakes for a couple years she started upping the ante. She would play most of the big tournaments every Sunday.
When asked what initially attracted her to poker, Andrews was very candid.
“The money,” she laughed. “I mean I think that’s basically the number one thing. You can’t make money like this anywhere else. It’s fun too. I’ve met a lot of really good people in poker.”
After finding success online, Andrews started to frequent the cash games at the Turning Stone casino in Verona, New York, a five hour trip from St. Thomas.
Cherish Andrews
From HPT Hostess to WSOP Grinder
While playing at Turning Stone, Andrews entered a contest via Wicked Chops Poker to become the hostess for the Heartland Poker Tour event that took place there in 2010.
The contest raised her profile in the poker world considerably but even then it was obvious she belonged at the table, not behind it.
“She’s good on camera, but she also happens to be great at poker,” said HPT commentator Fred Bevill at the time, “Someday she will be the one winning the cash, rather than the hostess presenting it.”
It turned out, that time would come sooner rather than later.
Andrews final tabled a $1k Six-Max event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure for $17,600 that winter.
Finally 21, Andrews was able to enter her first World Series of Poker in the summer of 2011.
Andrews was a revelation at the WSOP, making the money four times, winning over $30k, and going on a deep run in the Main Event, where she eventually finished 521st for $23k.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “I was super excited because it was my first WSOP and the Main Event was my first $10k tournament. Cashing in it was really amazing.”
Unable to play online poker over the last year thanks to Black Friday, Andrews has been living in New Jersey for the last six months and honing her skills in the cash games at Borgata.
Andrews once again has a full WSOP schedule planned and has already recorded an $8,878 cash in the $1,500 Six-Max event.
Although a female player hasn't won an open WSOP bracelet since 2008, that could certainly change this year as women have already made seven top-eight finishes. Most notably Amanda Musumeci recorded a second-place finish for $481k last week.
“One of the reasons I think women are doing so well is that guys do underestimate them,” she said. “They try to bluff them in spots they shouldn’t and it doesn’t work as well anymore.”
So far Musumeci, Vanessa Selbst, Annette Obrestad and Caroline Hermesh have all made top-eight finishes.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Andrews added to that list before the summer is over.
For all the action from the WSOP in Las Vegas click through to our 2012 World Series of Poker Live Coverage section, brought to you by 888poker.com.
Orson I don’t know who the fuck you think you are. You’re a little ass nerd with some money. It wouldn’t take much to lay your ass out. Don’t like your some though guy. Money can only get you so far. You wanna throw down, I’m game, I know where you live. Being your little fag pack full of chips too. Ill take that with your dignity.
Made Pennsylvania proud today. And you wanted to improve, next improvement is a bracelet girl!
Cherish is my Pokerstar!
And improve she did! Way to go Cherish, represents well!
Cherish and the boyfriend has all the action 🙁 Missed out didn’t you Curious George? ahahhahha
Congratulations Sweetheart! We were all watching tonight. You shined as usual! She kicks my butt, but she’s so cute I don’t mind,
Serious question : Curious George, do you know that you’re a loser? Just Curious? Definitely not a stand up man. Just curious if you know that?
Love her. Made us proud Cherish! Carry on girl, let these LOSERS ON THE RAIL. GET TO THE RAIL CURIOUS. oops, you’ve been there for some time now. LOL
Serious question : Does anyone know who is backing Cherish for this event or who she has pieces out to?? We will find out rather soon if she is at least honorable to them shortly correct ???
who’s this bitch?
Congratulations Cherish!! I’m sorry to see so much negativity on here, don’t let it ruin your time to shine, you’ve earned it!
Also go f yourself to anyone saying negative things about me under an anonymous name. Your not sticking up for cherish, your just doing the exact same thing that people saying negative things about her under an anonymous name are. (Matt, george, and anyone on page one that I haven’t clicked on) get a f life.
Someone sent me this since comments have my name in them and I skimmed through. Fwiw I dont know who’s left negative comments on here but it has nothing to do with me so please leave my name out of it. I’m indifferent to anything involving cherish. She hasn’t scammed me or anyone. I have nothing good or bad to say. Just don’t involve me Plz. (her ex)
That’s my sister! I love you & am so proud of you! & to the people who have nothing better to do than to get hardcore with the keyboard, get a life
Duey Tomko, if you would disclose your real name I would be more than willing to arrange a meeting between the two of us.
Give Duey Tomkos last comment to the police, let them deal with him. Sounds dangerous, imo.
Know her well as a matter of fact. Gorgeous beauty inside and out! It didn’t work out man, let it go! It’s a bad reflection, what you’re trying to do to her. Cherish is an amazing young women, only person I know that every told me “sorry” when they took a big amount off me. Oh that smile, cute and sweet! Outside mirror of inside of this girl, a real beauty!
I like her, I like her alot. No seriously, cool chick who plays poker. She’s a sweet girl.
Cute girl, million dollar smile. Man slayer, just by the smile! Feel like I know her from the article. She smiled at me once 😀 Yeah I’ a nerd!
Tough competitor played at the same table the other day, totally unexpected. Put the hurts on me, sweet girl! Left with 18K, must know a little something, something “that guy” Don’t underestimate!
Cool article Cher bear. Proud of you, own it!
I’m a believer “That guy” or should we say “f—guy” Everyone knows it’s you and your croonies trying to destroy Cherish. Not cool man! Grow up!
I’m glad theres good lookin chicks like Cher at the table. Sure beats looking at you guys ugly mugs. More interviews of beautiful chicks!
That guy. Watching her closely are ya? Its so immature to try to destroy others. Change your name a thousand times and do a thousand comments, still the same loser. LOL
for all you believers out there, how many times have you actually physically seen her walk away from a table with a profit, let alone any money at all? once? twice?
Proud of you Cherish! Awesome, awesome, awesome!
Awesome representation! Beauty and brains, not a common trait!
Have known this beautiful girl for a very long time. She’s a class act, obviously her instincts about Frey were right. Good judgement exercised Cherish. Pretty low to try to destroy a girl just because she doesn’t want you. Stand up poker player, Cherish’s beauty is more than skin deep! Will represent the poker world well, knew she was doing it the first time I met her. Congrats Girl! We may have been one of your first stepping stones in the world of poker, and proud to be a part of it! Hold your head high, be proud as we are proud of you!
Beautful girl! Loved the interview. Agreed on the has heart! Going places Cherish, know you’ll represent well!
His name is Kyle Frey, I just asked someone, he should be run out of the poker world all together. Any man to do this to a girl just because she didn’t want him is a low life. Pathetic. Kyle Frey is the name. I couldn’t remember for a while, not as memorable as the beautiful girl Cherish. Pathetic Kyle!
“deep run in the Main Event, where she eventually finished”
confirmed not deep
Figures that immature people make immature comments behind immature screennames instead of saying anything to anyones face directly. It shows the true colors of some people in the poker world, and it is truly dissapointing. I hope that people can grow up and find something better to to do than make other people feel bad.
Wow. Great article. A poker player with a heart! Pure!
nomnomnomnomnomnom
Didn’t she dump some curly haired guy? Used to follow her around like a puppy. 2 to 1 it’s him. Hell I’m all in with this one, she must have had a good read on that one! Just sayin.
finally a player that loses more than me at the borgata!
Agreed David. Losers, obviously dumped or shot one f them down. LOL Take it like a man boy! LOL he and his entourage, obviously smart enough to dump a loser. So transparent. LOL
Cool interview of an up and coming pro, obviously, little boys dont’ agree, LOL. I sure hope this bunch of degenerits are missing from the poker would. If not loser, I hope you continue to lose. LOL. Wish you well Cherish. not everyone is jealous, some just have a little poker envy, but handle it with class. Greet interview!
Wtf
david fox confirmed cherish
Artlicle responses from a bunch of kids obviously, hope you learn some class as you get older. Because you’re sure lacking it now! Obviously a bunch a losers. She wasn’t interested huh, or did she dump one of your losers? LOL So obvious!
Elbows too pointy
If by “crushing player” you mean dumb slut who scams people out of their houses than yes she is the ultimate crusher. Good job cherry babe…..steal another house to prolong your poker career.
Wow….seems she’s stepped on a few toes of the boys. Lol. Can be expected with a crushing player. Bit disapointed though, I thought poker players had more class then the other comments here. I guess jealousy rules in the poker world also, although, not in my rank of players. Disgusting michael, atheist,and duey…rediculous, she doesn’t give you the time of day huh? lol
pay off wizard, con artist
You were due, go scam someone else for another house.