First-Time Poker Player Wins Celebrity Tournament

This is the epitome of beginner’s luck.

Lena Ayad had never played poker before taking part in the Celebrity Poker Tour H3 Game Night at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.

Despite her inexperience, she won the event and took home $5,000. Lena outplayed the H3 crew, including co-hosts Ethan Klein and Hila Klein, and eventually defeated the head of production, Dan Swerdlove, in a heads-up match.

Celebrity Poker Tour shared a video of her final hand on its X account.

There are additional pictures and videos on Ayad’s Instagram page.

During a post-win interview with CPT that was shared by pokernews.com, Ayad said, "I learned from the best, first of all, Ethan and Hila over here, and also I just kind of learned the mechanics of the game. But in terms of actually playing, I've never done that."

And she didn't even need an online poker glossary.

Dan Swerdlove finished second and Olivia Lopes came in third place.

What is the H3 Podcast?

The H3 Podcast is a comedy talk show hosted by Ethan and Hila Klein from h3h3 Productions. The show has been around since 2016. It blends humor with serious discussions.

Some topics include pop culture and current events like Jack Doherty's car crash, a lawsuit between Vitaly and Lil Pump, and cheating allegations against Selena Gomez.

The podcast's guests include the likes of Steven Williams, Marques Brownlee, and Erik Hoffstad.

The H3 Podcast currently has nearly 2.9 million subscribers on YouTube.

Who is Lena Ayad?

Lena Ayad, also known as LenaStarkilla, is a key crew member of the H3 Podcast, serving as the executive assistant to hosts Ethan and Hila Klein. She also works for Teddy Fresh, an American streetwear company. Lena is married to AB Ayad, who is a Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and head researcher for the H3 Podcast.

While in Vegas, she also took in the implosion of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

Sometimes it's Better to be Lucky…

In addition to the $5,000 Ayad won, she also claimed a big WWE-style belt. The H3 Game Night also featured two special guests, YouTube stars Tana Mongeau and Steiny. But both missed out on the money.

Swerdlove won $3,000 for finishing second and Lopes received $2,000 for third.

Ayad is the sixth woman to win a Celebrity Poker Tour event. The full recap will be on the CPT YouTube channel.

And before you try your luck at cards, try putting together your own online poker strategy. Who knows? You may bring home a bing win like Lena. But remember to always play responsibly.