The seventeenth season of the popular reality show Big Brother was completed last night with 22-year-old student Steve Moses as its winner. And this would have had nothing to do with poker, if professional player Vanessa Rousso had not spent 98 days in the Big Brother household and had not finished 3rd in the game.
Many considered Rousso one of the people who were most likely to win this year’s edition of the TV show, which has gathered quite a lot of popularity not only in the United States but also in the rest of the world over the past two decades. Others reproached her for her manipulative persona. Nevertheless, her eviction shortly before the end of the season was a big surprise for everyone.
And here is what happened in a nutshell. Steve won the last weekly Head of Household competition against Vanessa and Liz Rolan, who eventually took 2nd place in this season of Big Brother. Being the Head, the college student had the opportunity to choose which one of his opponents should be evicted. Steve made quite a strategic move by leaving Liz in contention and as she was definitely the weaker of the two female participants.
Steve explained his decision with the fact that he considered Vanessa “the strongest female player” in the history of the show. And indeed, the poker pro was quite a player. She played the game masterfully, outmaneuvering almost all of her fellow contestants. And although many criticized her tactics (sometimes described as a bit manipulative), it could be said without the slightest exaggeration that Vanessa made the show quite entertaining.
Finishing 3rd in the seventeenth edition of Big Brother, the professional poker player did not receive any prize money. Liz was paid $50,000 and the big champion received a $500,000 check.
Commenting on her last-minute eviction, Vanessa said that she could not be angry at Steve as she would have done the same thing, if she had been in his shoes. Being the stronger opponent, she would have evicted him without giving it a second thought.
At the age of 32, Vanessa is one of the most profitable contemporary female poker players. Her live tournament winnings currently amount to $3,530,832 and she has numerous cashes in some of the world’s most prestigious poker tournaments. Her best achievement was her 1st place in the EPT Season 5 Grand Final €25,500 No-Limit Hold’em European High Roller Championship. She received €532,500 ($700,160) for topping the event’s field. At present, the player is 5th in the women’s all-time money list.
