{{Short description|Canadian poker player (born 1986)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox poker player |name=Kristen Foxen |nickname= |image=Kristen Bicknell 2020.jpg |caption=Foxen in 2020 |birth_date={{birth date and age|1986|12|29}} |birth_place=[[St. Catharines]], [[Ontario]], Canada |wsop bracelet count=5 |wsop money finishes=84<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Foxen |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=96318 |access-date=July 14, 2024 |website=WSOP.com}}</ref> |wsop main event best finish rank=13th |wsop main event best finish year=2024 |wpt titles=0 |wpt final tables=1 |wpt money finishes=5<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Foxen |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/kristen-bicknell/ |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> |ept titles=0 |ept final tables=2 |ept money finishes=4 }}
'''Kristen Foxen''' ({{nee|'''Bicknell'''}}; born December 29, 1986) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] professional [[poker]] player. As of March 2025, her total live tournament earnings exceed $9.4 million.<ref name="hendon">{{cite web |title=Kristen Foxen: Hendon Mob Poker Database |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=133320 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=The Hendon Mob Poker Database}}</ref>
In 2017, Foxen was the highest-ranked female poker player in live tournaments, accumulating 2,627.75 GPI points and ranking ahead of [[Maria Ho]].<ref name="poke_Cele">{{Cite web |author=Cross, Valerie |date=March 8, 2018 |title=Celebrate International Women's Day with Female POY Kristen Bicknell |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2018/03/kristen-bicknell-poy-interview-international-womens-day-30174.htm |access-date=March 15, 2018 |work=PokerNews}}</ref>
==Early life== Foxen was born on December 29, 1986, in [[St. Catharines]], [[Ontario]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=WPF Editorial |date=2024-02-06 |title=Kristen Foxen Interview |url=https://worldpokerfederation.org/poker-world/poker-players/kristen-foxen/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=World Poker Federation |language=en-US}}</ref>
Foxen grew up drawing inspiration from poker legend [[Jennifer Harman]], admiring her composure and the respect she commanded at the poker table. Watching ''[[Poker After Dark]]'' in its early days, she was motivated by Harman’s strong female presence in high-stakes poker. Seeing a woman compete at that level made Foxen feel that she could achieve the same success in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Bicknell: Humble, Driven and Competitve {{!}} PGT |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/kristen-bicknell-humble-driven-competitve |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref>
==Poker career==
=== Early career === Foxen began playing poker during her freshman year of college. In 2006, she started playing online under the aliases "krissyb24" on [[PokerStars]] and "krissy24" on [[Full Tilt Poker]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
Foxen achieved Supernova Elite status on PokerStars in 2011, 2012, and 2013, a milestone that required playing approximately 2.5 million hands per year. She primarily focused on online games at the $1/$2 to $2/$4 stakes. Due to the high volume of hands she played, she referred to herself as the "Ultimate Grinder."<ref name="card_WhyT">{{Cite web| title = Why They Call Me an 'Ultimate Grinder'| author = Bicknell, Kristen| work = cardplayer.com| date = November 1, 2012| access-date = March 15, 2018| url = https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-blogs/74-kristen-bicknell/entries/561133-why-they-call-me-an-ultimate-grinder}}</ref>
===World Series of Poker (WSOP)=== In 2013, she won the $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold'em Championship at the [[2013 World Series of Poker]], earning $173,922.<ref name="poke_Inte">{{Cite web| title = Interview: WSOP Bracelet Winner Kristen Bicknell Chases Supernova Elite at PokerStars| author = Collson, Brett| work = PokerNews| date = August 15, 2013| access-date = March 15, 2018| url = https://www.pokernews.com/news/2013/08/wsop-bracelet-winner-kristen-bicknell-supernova-elite-16089.htm}}</ref>
In 2016, Foxen won the $1,500 No-Limit hold'em bounty event and earned $290,768.<ref name="poke_Kris_2016">{{Cite web |author=Peters, Donnie |date=June 30, 2016 |title=Kristen Bicknell Proves She's Not a One-Hit Wonder, Wins 2016 WSOP Bounty Event |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2016/06/kristen-bicknell-no-one-hit-wonder-25189.htm |access-date=March 15, 2018 |work=PokerNews}}</ref>
In 2021, Foxen was one of the more prominent players who protested the [[World Series of Poker|WSOP]] decision to require players to be vaccinated against COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web |last=Burnett |first=Andrew |date=2021-09-03 |title=Anti-Vaxxers Unhappy with WSOP COVID-19 Mandate and Rules |url=https://www.pokertube.com/article/anti-vaxxers-unhappy-with-wsop-covid-19-mandate-and-rules |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=PokerTube}}</ref>
In 2020, Foxen won her third WSOP bracelet during the WSOP Online series, earning $356,412 in the $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed event. In 2023, she became the first female player to win a fourth WSOP bracelet by claiming victory in the WSOP Online $888 No-Limit Hold'em Crazy 8’s event.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fast |first=Erik |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Kristen Foxen Makes History As First Female Four-Time World Series of Poker Bracelet Winner |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/28200-kristen-foxen-makes-history-as-first-female-four-time-world-series-of-poker-bracelet-winner |work=Card Player Magazine}}</ref>
In October 2024, Foxen won Event #19: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max tournament on [[World Series of Poker|WSOP]] Online. Playing under the screen name "Saraswati," Foxen claimed the largest share of the $290,785 prize pool, earning $56,703 and a WSOP gold bracelet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Foxen Wins Record-Extending Fifth World Series of Poker Gold Bracelet - Poker News |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/29465-kristen-foxen-wins-record-extending-fifth-world-series-of-poker-gold-bracelet |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.cardplayer.com}}</ref> This win marked Foxen’s fifth World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. Foxen's five WSOP bracelets include two won at live events in Las Vegas (2013, 2016) and three won online (2020, 2023, and 2024).<ref>{{cite web | last=Sofen | first=Jon | title=Two World Series of Poker Bracelets in Three Days for the Foxens | website=PokerNews | date=2024-10-27 | url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/10/foxen-family-wins-two-wsop-bracelets-47235.htm | access-date=2025-04-27}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ World Series of Poker bracelets |- ! Year ! Event ! Prize money |- | [[2013 World Series of Poker|2013]] | $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold'em Championship | $173,922 |- | [[2016 World Series of Poker|2016]] | $1,500 Bounty No Limit Hold'em | $290,768 |- | [[2020 World Series of Poker Online|2020 O]] | $2,500 No Limit Hold'em 6-Handed | $356,411 |- | [[2023 World Series of Poker Online|2023 O]] | $888 No Limit Hold'Em Crazy 8's | $92,142 |- |[[2024 World Series of Poker Online|2024 O]] |$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max |$56,703 |} <small>An "O" following a year denotes bracelet(s) won during the World Series of Poker Online</small>
=== PokerGO Tour (PGT) === In 2019, Kristen Foxen recorded eight six-figure cashes. Her final major victory of the year came in November at the [[Poker Masters]] series, where she earned $408,000 after defeating Chance Kornuth heads-up for first place. Her overall performance that year contributed to her winning her third consecutive [[Global Poker Index|GPI]] Ladies Player of the Year title, accumulating 3,175.37 points.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
With the COVID-19 pandemic halting most live poker tournaments in 2020, Kristen Foxen competed in several online poker series throughout the year. She cashed nine times in the online Super High Roller Bowl series, including a third-place finish in a $25,500 buy-in event, earning $236,000.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
In January 2024, Foxen won Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em at the PGT Kickoff Series, securing the $165,000 first-place prize after a competitive final table.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=PGT Kickoff 2024: Kristen Foxen Defeats Daniel Negreanu Heads-up in Series Finale, Wins Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em ($165,000) |url=https://pokerguru.in/poker-news/pgt-kickoff-2024-kristen-foxen-defeats-daniel-negreanu-heads-up-in-series-finale-wins-event-5-10100-no-limit-holdem-165000/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=PokerGuru |language=en-US}}</ref> She eliminated her husband, [[Alex Foxen]], in fifth place and later gained a decisive chip lead after knocking out Samuel Laskowitz in third. In heads-up play against [[Daniel Negreanu]], Foxen won key hands, including a crucial river call and an overbet that left Negreanu with just six big blinds. She clinched the victory when her jack-six prevailed against Negreanu’s king-nine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Kristen Foxen Bests Negreanu & Cracks Husband's Aces to Win PGT Kickoff Finale |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/01/kristen-foxen-defeats-daniel-negreanu-45262.htm |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.pokernews.com |language=en}}</ref> The win marked her second career [[PokerGO Tour|PGT]] title and 12th career tournament victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Foxen Wins PGT Kickoff Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em {{!}} PGT |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/kristen-foxen-wins-pgt-kickoff-event-5-10100-no-limit-holdem |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2025, Foxen successfully defended her title by winning Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em at the PGT Kickoff Series, earning $197,625 after a heads-up deal with Joao Simao.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-25 |title=Kristen Foxen Wins PokerGO Tour Kickoff Series $10k Finale for Second Straight Year |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/01/pokergo-tour-kickoff-finale-kristen-foxen-47820.htm |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.pokernews.com |language=en}}</ref> Throughout the tournament, Foxen maintained a dominant chip lead, briefly relinquishing it during heads-up play. In the final hand, she called Simao's all-in bluff with two pair to secure the victory. Foxen had also won the same event in the previous year's PGT Kickoff Series, making this a consecutive title defense.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Foxen Repeats as PGT Kickoff Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em Champion {{!}} PGT |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/kristen-foxen-repeats-as-pgt-kickoff-event-5-10100-no-limit-holdem-champion |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref>
In February 2025, Foxen won [[PokerGO]] Cup Event #7: $15,100 No-Limit Hold'em, earning $348,300 and moving into first place on the 2025 [[PokerGO Tour]] leaderboard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristen Foxen Weathers the Storm to Run Away With Event #7: $15,100 No-Limit Hold'em Title {{!}} PGT |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/kristen-foxen-weathers-the-storm-to-run-away-with-event-7-15100-no-limit-holdem-title |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref> Entering the final table with the shortest stack, she overcame the deficit and ultimately defeated Patrick Leonard heads-up with a 4-1 chip advantage. This victory marked her second win of the year on the PokerGO Tour, following her $197,625 win in the $10,100 PokerGO Tour Kickoff Series finale in January. It was also her third cash in seven events during the PokerGO Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title=Kristen Foxen Wins $15K PokerGO Cup Event; Erik Seidel Out in 4th |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/02/kristen-foxen-wins-pokergo-cup-event-47990.htm |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.pokernews.com |language=en}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ PGT trophies |- ! Year ! Event ! Prize money |- | 2024 | PGT Kickoff Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em | $165,000 |- | 2025 | PGT Kickoff Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold'em | $197,625 |- | 2025 | PokerGO Cup Event #7: $15,100 No-Limit Hold'em | $348,300 |- |2025 |U.S. Poker Open #1: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em |$158,025 |}
=== World Poker Tour (WPT) === In December 2017, Foxen won [[WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic|WPT Five Diamond Series]] Event #13: $5,200 No-Limit Hold'em at the [[Bellagio (resort)|Bellagio]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Poker Tour - WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em - ( Event #13 ): Hendon Mob Poker Database |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=465765 |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> She outlasted a field of 147 players to claim the first-place trophy and a prize of $199,840.<ref name="poke_Cele" />
=== Other Notable Tournaments === In March 2018, Foxen won the [[Asia Pacific Poker Tour|APPT National High Roller]] in [[Macau]], earning HKD $2,192,000 (approximately USD $279,549). At the final table, she defeated David Peters heads-up to secure the title, topping a field of 117 players who each entered for HKD $80,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=APPT Macau: High Roller victories for Alex Foxen, Kristen Bicknell, and Marius Gierse; Shuize Cai lands a Platinum Pass - SOMUCHPOKER |url=https://somuchpoker.com/news/appt-macau-high-roller-victories-for-alex-foxen-kristen-bicknell-and-marius-gierse-shuize-cai-lands-a-platinum-pass |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=somuchpoker.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Poker After Dark === Foxen (formerly Bicknell) appeared in [[Poker After Dark|''Poker After Dark's'']] "Femme Fatale" week, playing high-stakes cash games on January 3 and 4, 2018. On the first day, she eliminated [[J. J. Liu|J.J. Liu]] in a queens-versus-aces hand but later lost a significant pot to Tracy Nguyen after Nguyen hit a nut flush. Foxen also faced a major preflop confrontation, ultimately folding to a five-bet from Nguyen. Despite some setbacks, she finished the session with over $100,000 in winnings, making her one of the top earners of the event.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-05 |title=Kristen Bicknell and Melanie Weisner Make Splashes on Poker After Dark |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2018/01/kristen-bicknell-and-melanie-weisner-poker-after-dark-29661.htm |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.pokernews.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Sponsorships === That same year, Foxen signed with [[partypoker]] as a sponsored pro.<ref name="part_Kris">{{Cite web |title=Kristen Bicknell - Team partypoker |url=https://www.partypoker.com/team-partypoker/kristen-bicknell.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315135718/https://www.partypoker.com/team-partypoker/kristen-bicknell.html |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2018 |work=partypoker.com}}</ref> However, in August 2021, she and partypoker parted ways, with no official reason provided for the departure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sofen |first=Jon |date=August 20, 2021 |title=Kristen Bicknell, Partypoker Part Ways: 'It's Been a Great Four Years' |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/08/kristen-bicknell-partypoker-resignation-39683.htm?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_eH0SxYfPYWbxCKYSONaXjbgM8NrcFhu7fBaTMzZswNc-1633855603-0-gqNtZGzNApCjcnBszQiR |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=PokerNews.com}}</ref>
== Personal life == Kristen Foxen ([[née]] Bicknell) married fellow professional poker player [[Alex Foxen]] in April 2022 in the Florida Keys. Shortly after, the couple opted to forgo a honeymoon and instead competed in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open in Hollywood, Florida. Foxen described the wedding as a small, intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family. The timing of their wedding coincided with the poker tournament, making for a seamless transition into their next competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-10 |title=Newlyweds Foxen & Bicknell Waste No Time Getting Results at WPT Seminole Hard Rock |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2022/04/newlyweds-alex-foxen-and-kristen-bicknell-40999.htm |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.pokernews.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{twitter|krissyb24poker}} *[https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-players/39983-kristen-foxen Card Player profile] *[https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=133320 Hendon Mob profile] *[https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/kristen-bicknell/ PokerNews profile] *[https://www.worldpokertour.com/player/kristen-bicknell/ WPT profile] *[https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=96318 WSOP profile]
{{2010s WSOP bracelet winners}} {{2020s WSOP bracelet winners}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foxen, Kristen}} [[Category:1986 births]] [[Category:Canadian poker players]] [[Category:World Series of Poker bracelet winners]] [[Category:Female poker players]] [[Category:Sportspeople from St. Catharines]] [[Category:Living people]]