(Featured image: courtesy of WPT)
While many know Arden Cho for her captivating performance as Kira Yukimura in MTV’s Teen Wolf, she has carved out an impressive second career at the poker tables.
The actress turned heads in the poker world when she finished runner-up in the 2024 PGT Championship, walking away with $200,000 and proving that Hollywood talent can translate to poker success.
With over $400,000 in live tournament earnings and a growing reputation among poker’s elite, she has become one of the most recognizable celebrity players in the game.
Today, we’ll discuss Arden Cho net worth and her journey from small-stakes college games to competing against the world’s best players.
| Full Name: Arden Lim Cho |
| DOB: August 16, 1985 |
| Birthplace: Amarillo, Texas |
| Profession: Actress & Competitive Poker Player |
| Spouse: Fiancé Unnamed |
| WSOP Bracelets: 0 |
| Net Worth and Career Earnings: $3+ million |
Disclaimer: Only Arden knows her actual net worth. We can only estimate based on publicly available sources and the usual stakes she plays.
Early Life and Background
Born in Amarillo, Texas in August 1985, Arden Lim Cho is of Korean descent and initially had her sights set on a completely different career path.
She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology in 2007 with aspirations of becoming a lawyer.
However, fate had other plans when she took her first drama classes during college. This pivotal moment sparked her passion for acting and changed the trajectory of her life entirely.
Her father, a taekwondo grandmaster, instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance that would serve her well in both entertainment and poker.
Cho herself achieved black belt status in taekwondo, developing the mental toughness that translates perfectly to high-pressure poker situations.
Before finding fame, she was romantically involved with comedy YouTuber Ryan Higa for five years.
She recently got engaged in April 2025 to a non-celebrity man whose identity she has chosen to keep private.
From Film Star to Poker Star
Many people wonder:
Is Arden Cho a professional poker player?
And while she may be known primarily for her acting roles in Teen Wolf, Chicago Med, and Partner Track, her poker journey tells a compelling story of dedication and skill development.
Her poker origins trace back to her college days at the University of Illinois, where she first attempted to learn the game around 2002.
She admits that like everyone else she was terrible at first, losing consistently in small-stakes games of $0.10/$0.25 and $0.25/$0.50 with friends in the dorms.
The competitive nature of the game appealed to her immediately, especially since she often heard comments like “this is just a boys’ night, you can’t play” from her male classmates.
Her early struggles didn’t deter her from pursuing improvement. Cho dabbled in online poker during college, which proved even more challenging than live games.
Despite the initial losses and discouragement, her desire to prove herself and master the strategic elements of poker kept her coming back. She treated each session as a learning experience, building the foundation that would serve her well years later.
Her breakthrough poker moment didn’t happen overnight but was the result of years of grinding and learning.
Her first recorded live cash came in 2013 with a 75th-place finish in a $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event at the World Series of Poker. But it was her performance in the 2024 PGT Championship that truly announced her arrival as a serious poker competitor.
Here’s the final table video of the PGT Championship where Cho played against famous male poker players like Darren Elias, Artur Martirosyan, Leon Sturm, and Daniel Weinman:
As you can see…
Facing a field of elite professionals in the $1 million guaranteed freeroll, the Hollywood star pushed her way to the final table and ultimately finished second to Daniel Smiljkovic, earning $200,000 in the process.
This result didn’t only represent a career-high payday but also demonstrated that she could compete at the highest levels of tournament poker.
Her performance sparked conversations about celebrity players and their place in professional poker, showing that with dedication and proper preparation, entertainers can transition into legitimate poker threats.
Arden Cho Poker Career Highlights
While a lot of people know Arden Cho as Hollywood star, or for her big PGT Championship run, there’s actually a lot more to her story.
Here are some of her notable accomplishments as a poker star:
- Has been playing poker since 2002, building serious skills and a solid reputation in the poker community
- Made her first notable cash in 2013, placing 75th in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event at the WSOP
- Regularly plays in high-profile poker events, including PokerGO studio games and cash games
- Locked in a seventh-place finish at the $10,400 Wynn High Roller #3 in March 2022
- Appeared on No Gamble, No Future where she got valuable table time with some of poker’s top names
Speaking of PokerGo’s No Gamble, No Future show:
You can actually watch how she pulls off an audacious bluff against poker legends Phil Hellmuth and Justin Young in the vide below:
Following this, she continues to balance both worlds. She is still actively working as an actress while playing poker at a high level whenever she can.
Top 5 Poker Tournament Winnings
Her tournament record shows she can hold her own in tough fields, with solid results across different event types and buy-in levels. Here are Arden Cho’s top 5 tournament cashes so far:
2nd Place 2024 PGT Championship – $200,000
This career-defining victory came after Cho navigated through a star-studded field of elite professionals to reach the final table.
The result was particularly impressive because she entered as one of the least experienced players in a field dominated by poker’s biggest names. She credited her success to extensive preparation, including strategy sessions with coach Brian Kim who helped her understand ICM concepts and final table dynamics.
Her heads-up battle against Daniel Smiljkovic, while ultimately unsuccessful, showcased her composure under pressure and ability to compete at poker’s highest level.
Other Notable Tournament Cashes:
- 55th Place 2022 WPT World Championship – $71,400
- 7th Place 2022 Wynn Millions – $30,000
- 774th Place 2024 World Series of Poker – $27,500
- 662nd Place 2018 World Series of Poker – $21,750
Her poker career is still gaining momentum, with plenty of potential for future deep runs.
Besides poker tournaments, she often plays cash games, including televised/livestreamed ones like Hustler Casino Live, Bally Live Poker, Poker After Dark, PokerStars Live, and PokerGo’s shows.
Without a doubt, Arden continues to turn heads in this industry, proving she’s more than just a celebrity at the table.
Lifestyle, Sponsorships & Side Ventures
Outside poker, Cho maintains a busy schedule balancing her entertainment career with her growing passion for tournament play. Here are different ventures she is taking on aside from poker:
Film and Television Career
As most of you likely know, Cho’s primary career remains in entertainment, where she has built an impressive resume spanning television, film, and music.
Her breakout role as Kira Yukimura in Teen Wolf from 2014 brought her widespread recognition and established her as a talented actress capable of handling complex characters.
She has since appeared in Chicago Med, Partner Track, and Miss 2059, which shows her versatility across different genres and platforms.
Her acting career provides the financial stability that allows her to pursue poker without the pressure of needing immediate results.
Poker Network and Mentorship
She has built relationships with several prominent poker players who have contributed to her development.
Phil Hellmuth has been particularly supportive of her poker career, encouraging her transition from cash games to tournaments.
She regularly seeks advice from experienced players and isn’t afraid to ask questions about hand analysis or strategic concepts.
In an interview, she once said her friendship with female players like Maria Ho has provided her with insights into the challenges women face in poker and strategies for navigating a male-dominated environment.
These relationships have been crucial in her development from recreational player to serious competitor.
Arden Cho Net Worth
Now, let’s talk about what a lot of people are curious about: the actual Arden Cho net worth.
Of course, only Cho herself knows the real numbers, but based on what’s publicly available from her acting, poker winnings, and other projects, her estimated net worth is likely over $3 million.
Her poker earnings of over $400,000 show a significant but relatively small portion of her overall wealth. The majority of her net worth certainly comes from her acting career, including her multi-season role on TV series and subsequent film projects.
The estimate accounts for her continuing work in entertainment, poker tournament winnings, and potential endorsement opportunities, though she hasn’t publicly announced any major sponsorship deals within the poker industry.
BONUS: Fun Facts
Here are some interesting tidbits that showcase her position in both entertainment and poker.
- Originally planned to become a lawyer before discovering her passion for acting in college drama classes.
- She is a black belt in taekwondo, trained by her father who is a grandmaster in the martial art.
- Her ideal Friday night involves playing poker with friends rather than going out to clubs or bars.
- Admits to being naturally introverted, which makes poker an ideal social activity for her personality type.
- Has quit both acting and poker when facing adversity but always returns because she loves the challenge.
- She often gets massages while playing cash games, treating poker sessions as relaxing social experiences.
- She describes poker as similar to acting because both involve storytelling and convincing others of the narrative you’re presenting.
Arden Cho in Poker: My Final Thoughts
Arden Cho has built a solid presence in poker through years of consistent play, not just one-off appearances.
She’s one of the few celebrities who fully committed to improving her game.
Over the years, she’s played in high-profile tournaments, appeared in major cash games, and competed alongside some of the best players in the world.
She’s still active in both acting and poker.
With her recent engagement and ongoing film projects, she now picks poker events that work around her schedule. She’s not chasing every tournament but still shows up in serious spots when she can.
Her career has opened the door for more women and celebrities to see poker as something worth pursuing seriously. Her results and work ethic prove that with preparation and focus, it’s possible to break into competitive poker, no matter your background.
Now, I’d love to hear from YOU:
What’s something new you learned about this celebrity poker player? What else are you curious about when it comes to Arden Cho’s net worth or career?
Let me know in the comments!
