Maria Maceiras

Maria “May” Maceiras is one of the biggest poker players in her native Spain, and arguably the most recognizable Spanish woman playing on the international circuit.

Part of poker’s growth in Spain is largely credited to the Vigo native and her family. Maria’s brother, Juan Maceiras (aka vietcong01), has final tabled at two EPT events and is widely known for taking home huge wins in online tournaments.

Juan Sr., also a poker player, had taught his young children how to play Five Card Stud, instilling in the Maceiras siblings a love of cards at an early age. It was not until a few years ago, however, that May discovered online Texas Hold’Em after watching a friend play it. “I wondered, what is this weird poker he is playing,” she laughs. “But I opened my first online player account that same night and made my initial $20 deposit within the next four days.”

Two months later, she had won a package to the Campeonato de España — her first live tournament.

She was hooked. “I went alone. I loved it. I kept thinking… I have to play more. I have to make this hobby something bigger.”

May final tabled the first time she played live Texas Hold’Em and placed seventh in the event. After this successful first outing, May says she went from working in an advertising agency to making poker her way of live. She then went on to win the next two Campeonatos de España, becoming the not only first woman to win the event, but also the first player to win it twice.

Several months later, immediately following her win at the European Women’s Poker Tournament in April 2007, Maria signed with Team Everest.

“When a boy teaches a girl how to play poker, it’s just a matter of time before she is better than him.”

Maria is thrilled about not only poker’s growing popularity in Spain and expanded female interest in the game, but also the increased variety of live tournament options in the region.

“The Spanish Poker Tour is the best poker tournament in Spain,” says Maria. “All of Spain’s top players say this about the SPT . It has the best structure, organization and tournament direction.”