There isn’t anything that Esther “E-Tay” Taylor can’t handle. Life challenges? Overcome. Motherhood? Doing it. Conflict around her at the poker tables? Handled. Poker variance? Managed. Multi-tabling more than three tables online? Well, perhaps that’s taking this too far.

Taylor has mixed a whirlwind of life experiences with two decades of poker to get to this point. While her attitude doesn’t show that she’s any worse for wear, it’s important to know that she brings it all to the table. That calm demeanor doesn’t mean she’s not fierce. That enchanting smile doesn’t mean she won’t four-bet and five-bet you with air.

All of this makes Taylor the ideal BetMGM Poker Ambassador. She’s seen the game from all sides – from online to live tables, through the swings, from low stakes to high rollers, from Hold’em to hi-lo variations – while becoming a beloved and respected member of the poker community. Some have known her for years, and others discovered her when she made the final table of the Poker Players Championship in 2025. Now it’s time for more people to know more about her, find out what’s behind her upbeat personality, and discover why everyone loves E-Tay.

BetMGM:  You’ve had an off/on relationship with poker as you prioritized motherhood and went through Black Friday and the pandemic. Can you tell people a little about this relationship with the game and when (if at all or perhaps more than once) that you decided to make poker your job?

Taylor:  I discovered poker in 2006, where I started online and learned mixed games at a very small price point. I had my daughter in 2009 and basically took time off from poker until she went to school. I came back in 2015. I would say that’s when, in my mind, I became more serious about poker tournaments and have been playing more or less for the last ten years. Now that she’s older, I’ve ramped up my tournament volume closer to full time. 

BetMGM:  You seem to really enjoy playing live. What’s been your relationship with online poker through the years? And are you ready to play more as a BetMGM ambassador?

Taylor:  Yes, I’m definitely more of a live player. That is conducive to my personality, as I love to meet and learn about people and their stories. There’s no way to really do that online, so the live aspect of poker tournaments is definitely the draw for me. I will definitely be showing up a lot more on BetMGM for poker tournaments and hopefully more cash games! 

BetMGM:  What does your online poker setup look like at home?

Taylor:  I don’t have any extraordinary setup. I basically have one long monitor and can only really play about two or three tables now at my age, ha. 

BetMGM:  Do you watch TV or listen to music when playing online? If so, what type of shows or genres of music do you prefer?

Taylor:  I do both sometimes. I like to have background noise on, so usually I’m watching a television show, a documentary or something that I can pay less attention to.

BetMGM:  What is your favorite place to play poker and why?

Taylor:  I really don’t have a favorite place. The way that I look at it is once I’m sitting down at the table and have chips in front of me, it’s really all the same experience 

BetMGM:  We know your love for mixed games is strong. But if you had to play only one poker variant for the next year, what would it be?

Taylor:  My answer was always stud high-low. However, answering right this second, it would be double-board bomb pot Omaha. It’s just a lot more fun and faster if I have to play it for an entire year. 

BetMGM:  How do you stay so calm amidst sometimes chaotic poker rooms or tables? 

Taylor:  I can basically lock in. I’m so used to the background noise that I don’t even really notice it. 

BetMGM:  It seems that you’re often the peacemaker. How do you feel about that?

Taylor:  I wouldn’t say that I’m a peacemaker. But I don’t like being in the middle of conflict, and I’d rather use my platform for good and positive. I have always just had this stance that everyone should have a right to their own opinion and the way they live their own lives. If we all just have respect for that alone, I think we eliminate a lot of the drama that we see in not only poker but life in general. 

BetMGM:  What do you do to clear your mind or keep a positive mindset after a bad poker session or hard day at the tables?

Taylor:  It’s usually about a five-minute walk off for me. I physically walk around and just clear my head, and that usually does it. I’ve had to train myself mentally that it’s one long session, and I can’t get attached to each and every individual single result.

BetMGM:  You’ve worked alongside BetMGM Poker and Borgata for a long time to help build and strengthen the mixed game community. Now that you’re an official ambassador, do you have any particular goals in mind to further your impact on the game?

Taylor:  Yes, I want to make sure that I intentionally do what I can to not only listen to players but actually put things into motion to the best of my ability or where I can have influence. I’ve always tried to be somebody who says what they mean and means what they say by proving it in action. Alongside that, it is a big goal of mine to just try to improve the experience at the tables and add some fun and positivity. 

Play Online Poker at BetMGM

If you want to join E-Tay at the online poker tables, BetMGM Poker is the place to be. There are online cash games and tournaments available around the clock, all available for real-money online poker at a range of buy-ins and stakes. And when you make your first deposit, use the exclusive online poker welcome bonus to make the most of your starting bankroll.