We are excited to report that the SiGMA Poker Tour (SPT) has proudly welcomed former professional footballer and Liverpool legend John Arne Riise and Norwegian poker champion and trailblazer Drea Karlsen to its renowned family of ambassadors.
By adding Drea Karlsen and John Arne Riise to its roster, the SiGMA Poker Tour intends to bring a wealth of passion, experience, and diversity to the SPT, something that is meant to further enhance its commitment to excellence and global appeal.
Drea Karlsen started her journey into the poker world back in 2012 when she attended the Norwegian Poker Championships as a blogger and a photographer, with her only experience up to that point being playing casual poker games with friends.
Thanks to the influence of her twin brother, Drea’s fiercely competitive nature pushed her to devote herself completely to the game and perfect her abilities as a poker player.
Well, fast-forward to 2024, and this relentless dedication culminated in Drea winning the Ladies Event of the Norwegian Poker Championships, something that opened the doors to the global poker realm and provided new and exciting opportunities ahead.
I wanted a Norwegian title for a long time, so it felt really good. And, of course, I’m going back to Bratislava in April 2025 to defend the title. I really believe I can win it again! It’s about how you meet people, how you behave at the tables, and how you spread joy and happiness in the poker community.
Consequently, Drea’s love for the poker community and unique journey makes her the perfect ambassador for the SiGMA Poker Tour, something that she herself recognizes as a one-of-a-kind opportunity to “make the SPT a safe and happy space” for both professional and newbie poker players.
Becoming an ambassador gives me the opportunity to travel and play where I wouldn’t be able to, and it gives me the opportunity to meet people I wouldn’t meet. I’m really looking forward to bringing my vibrant and happy personality and contributing to making the SPT a safe and happy space for both new and experienced poker players.
In addition to her impressive poker career, Drea is also championing to create a welcoming environment for women in poker. By using her unique personal experiences as a woman in a game predominately played by men, Drea uses her platform to “inspire and engage aspiring female players”, with the goal of making them feel safe and welcome to the competitive poker realm.
I really feel it is a big part of my responsibility as a fellow female poker player to welcome these women and make them feel safe and welcome to the poker community. That’s also why I think ladies’ only events are so important! It’s a smooth start for new female poker players, and a safe space to really feel some of the warmth and fun the poker community brings.
John Arne Riise is a former professional football player and the most capped player for the Norwegian national team.
A football legend both in his home country and FC Liverpool, he is known for his formidable pace and set-piece execution, something that saw him spending 7 years at Anfield, playing a crucial role in winning the UEFA Champions League in 2004-2005 in what is widely known as the greatest Champions League final in the history of the competition.
