With decades of poker experience, Illinois’ Monika Heppner is ready to take on the pros, and hopefully get a few photos with them, on the upcoming WPT Voyage after winning a package on ClubWPT.

From March 31 to April 6, 2024, the World Poker Tour (WPT) will take over an entire Virgin Voyages cruise ship for a six-day poker festival that features $1.5 million in guarantees, including a $5,000 buy-in and $1,000,000 guaranteed WPT Main Event.

PokerNews caught up with Heppner, who is originally from Poland, to learn about her poker background and how she got one step closer to achieving her dream of having her name etched on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup.

PokerNews: What brought you to the US from Poland?

Heppner: I came from Poland 21 years ago to my mom. Not long after that I met my son’s dad. My Boy is 19 now. He is a very special boy, his name is Maxwell and he is autistic. My math genius. He is my number one fan and tells me every day that I will win and he wants to see me on TV.

How did you win your WPT Voyage trip?

I registered on the WPT website and I became a Diamond member. Three months later, I played satellite to a main event where you can win a passport for a Voyage cruise. I qualified for that event, and I took first place. I was so happy and very excited at the same time.

When and how did you learn to play poker?

I was the only girl in the family and I had an older brother and he always wanted a brother, so he raised me like one lol. I played soccer in Poland and we played a lot of card games, one of them was poker.

I never thought I would play later in my life, Then I met my husband and we started playing poker together, We started playing more when we moved to Wisconsin for 4 years so Maxwell could finish high school (that was Covid time). We were playing poker with people we met in a small bar and we became friends. After Covid, I started playing cash games at Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, IL. I started with $1-$3 and after six months I went to $2-$5 games and I started winning. I started playing WSOP Circuit events. I cashed 80% of them but I haven’t won yet. I played a couple events in Florida I played WPT Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open in Hollywood I cashed one.

“I joined a Smoke’n Aces Poker league so much fun. I’m a member of the Women’s Poker Association.”

I played a couple events in Vegas. I started playing tournaments two years ago, I’m usually a cash player. Since Grand Victoria Casino started playing daily tournaments. I’ve been playing more often. I joined a Smoke’n Aces Poker league so much fun. I’m a member of the Women’s Poker Association.

How long have you been a member of ClubWPT and what inspired you to join in the first place?

I’ve been a member of ClubWPT for more than a year now. I started playing on WPT for fun and to practice my tournament skills.

Have you ever been on a cruise or poker cruise?

It will be my first cruise, and I think that’s my biggest prize in tournaments. I’m very excited that I can meet people I see on the TV. I’m hoping to get even more experience and learn to play better.

What’s your proudest poker accomplishment to date?

I met Chris Moneymaker and I had a chance to play with him, a very nice and respectful person. It was a great experience.

What are you most looking forward to about the WPT Voyage? Are there poker pros you would like to meet or play with?

I would love to meet Phil Ivey I like his style of playing, Daniel Negreanu, Kristen Foxen I love to watch her playing, Erik Seidel is an icon, Jason Koon … and of course Jennifer Tilly, a great cash player.

I think meeting them and being able to talk with them will be a great chance to learn more about being a great poker player.

My dream… My name on the Mike Sexton trophy.

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