Rotorua's poker pride and joy Renae Baker will take home nearly $20,000 after claiming eighth place in the World Poker Tour in Auckland this afternoon.
She has "hardly seen the light outside of SkyCity Casino" in the last week, while playing the game non-stop.
"I took part in some satellite tournaments here leading up to this tournament... It's been like a marathon."
In the first two days of the competition, on Saturday and Sunday, Baker was playing for at least 12 hours a day.
She had high hopes of making the final nine, despite there being 333 entrants.
Placing eighth in today's round, Baker has pocketed $19,650.
"I was confident going into this. Last year I came second at the New Zealand Championships."
That result won her $70,000 - her biggest prize yet.
"I was battling against thousands, and it was based on a point series from various tournaments."
Baker said most of the finalists were New Zealanders who "managed to kick out most of the overseas players".
She said Kiwi players were the most humble.
"Poker is not a cheap sport and you get a lot of millionaires playing. Whereas Kiwis tend to appreciate all we get. That's our point of difference."
This weekend's tournament required a $2200 buy-in to enter.
About 20 Rotorua players, friends, and family were supporting Baker in the crowds, which she said helped her get through the long hours at the table.
"I am a little bit overwhelmed... and really tired. So the cheering is awesome. I have worked really hard to get here and I'm really proud. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here."
She has been playing competitively for 10 years, and she said one of the highlights of this weekend's tournament was the strength of women's poker.
"There was only 10 to 15 of us in the 333 but two are in the top nine. I think female intuition is definitely one of my strengths."
'It's the mind that plays the game. If the mind is strong, your body can cope with it'.