Cycalona (Clonie) Gowen

Cycalona (Clonie) Gowen (born November 30, 1971) is an American professional poker player, based in Dallas, Texas.

Early years

Gowen was born in Florida, and grew up in Kiowa, Oklahoma. (Her first name was inspired by the fact that she was born during a powerful storm.) She won Miss Teen McAlester, Oklahoma at age 15, and as a teenager moved to Corsicana, Texas. She was a member of the varsity basketball team and placed seventh in state high jump.

Poker

Gowen was introduced to poker by her boyfriend’s father, and started playing while living in Dallas, driving to Shreveport, Louisiana on the weekends. She earned national recognition when she followed up her Top 10 finish at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Costa Rica Classic with a win at the WPT Ladies’ Night event in 2003, then the highest rated WPT show ever broadcast.

She has served as a guest commentator for the Ultimate Poker Challenge, The Gaming Club World Poker Championship and the 888.com Women’s Poker UK Open. She is a regular columnist for All In magazine, a member of the Board of Directors of the non-profit United States Poker Association. She frequently hosts tournaments and charity events and is now a partner in a poker school.

Gowen is a member of “Team Full Tilt” at Full Tilt Poker and in 2007 appeared on the NBC television program Poker After Dark, winning first place (and $120,000) during “Ladies Week” (Week 10) and again during Week 17. Gowen, Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, and Phil Hellmuth are currently the only four players to win at least two tournaments on Poker After Dark.

As of October 2007, her total live tournament winnings exceed $690,000.

Outside of poker

At one point in time she owned a travel agency, but now only plays poker. Gowen has two children, and in her spare time enjoys scuba diving throughout the world.