Hulya Pehlivanlar plays online at Full Tilt Poker.

Hulya emerged as one of Turkey’s best poker players with a string of successes at tournaments in Cyprus.

In March 2010, she made her first splash on the live poker circuit at the Merit Poker Festival by finishing second in the $150K Guarantee No Limit Hold ‘em event – worth $28K. Later that same month she went one better in an identical tournament, taking down the top prize for $42K.

Hulya returned to Kyrenia in July 2010 and claimed another runner-up prize. Her second place in the Mediterranean Poker Cup $5K No Limit Hold ‘em VIP event pocketed her $70,000. The following month she was once again celebrating, taking down the winner’s prize in the Full Tilt Poker Cyprus Classic $2,500 No Limit Hold ‘em event for $29,950.

Hulya was born in Istanbul, the city she still lives in, and was playing chess professionally when she discovered poker in 2008. Having learnt the fundamentals of the game playing with her friends, she dedicated herself to improving her game by putting in endless hours of practice and studying videos of poker professionals.

Away from the poker table Hulya likes to travel and be with friends. She still plays chess and is a keen bowler.

Look for Hulya playing online at Full Tilt Poker.