Maria “Maridu” Mayrinck was born in Rio de Janeiro.  She is a member of team PokerStars Pro and represents Latin America. After becoming interested in poker, she started a blog called "Need an Ace" which had a great following in Brazil.  She started playing online and improving her skills as a poker player.  She found some success and started playing in live events.

At the 2008 World Series of Poker, Maria cashed in three events: the $1500 No Limit Hold’em, the  $1000 Ladies World Championship No Limit Hold’em, and the $2000 No Limit Hold’em.  She plays online as “Maridu.”

Away from the tables, Maria loves to watch reality TV shows, go shopping, read about fashion, and travel. She is in a relationship with poker pro, David Baker. She has also been a screen writer for Brazilian TV and has worked on several sitcoms.

Maria also went on an environmental mission to cut down the thousands of plastic water bottles used at the 2010 WSOP. 

"I really want to make players more aware in helping the environment and use less plastic water bottles during the Series," she said. "I've been Tweeting about it and said that I will be giving out bottles to people who ask me for one so they can fill up and take to/from home to the Rio with water so not waste so much plastic. This is something that is very important to me."

Maria is a vivacious person who shares her enthusiasm for life and poker. Tune in to hear her strategies and tips for everyone.  

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