Daniel Negreanu. Phil Ivey. Chris Moneymaker. Phil Hellmuth.
Some poker legends have left their marks on unique eras in the game. For example, Negreanu (known as “Kid Poker”) built his career with over $50 million in live tournament earnings, six WSOP bracelets, and two WPT titles, becoming an inspiration for the next generation of players. Having grown up watching these poker pros has created a new wave of talent who blend their competitive poker drive with online savvy, using streaming platforms and community engagement to connect with fans in ways the old guard are only picking up on now.
One of the most compelling figures to emerge from this digital-first poker movement is Svitlana “Svetarik” Dryha. A Ukrainian pro whose journey began in the high-paced environment of online poker, Dryha represents a fresh kind of poker icon, one who competes in multi-table tournaments at the highest level while streaming her journey to a global audience. Now a key member of Americas Cardroom’s inaugural Team Online, she’s quickly establishing herself as both a skilled competitor and an influential voice in the game.
The Birth of A US Poker MTT Specialist
Svitlana Dryha started her poker journey in 2017, doing cash games in online poker. By 2018, she shifted to multi-table tournaments (MTTs), which reshaped her competitive career as she thrived in large-field events. Her talent and dedication led her to Americas Cardroom, which established its first-ever Team Online in July 2024. The Team Online is a hand-picked roster of digital-era pros tasked with bringing new energy to the US poker platform. “I’m so excited to join Americas Cardroom Team Online and share my journey with poker fans worldwide,” she said at the announcement. “I’m eager to showcase my skills on the stream and play the full Americas Cardroom schedule.”
Fans quickly got to see that promise in action. Shortly after their launch, the platform hosted the Team Online Championships, which Dryha participated in. This home game series allowed the members to face off with the public, who could join with a $2.20 buy-in. The series offered Americas Cardroom regulars a chance to test its new pros and win from a guaranteed prize pool of $1,500. Those who made it to the Final Table even joined a high-stakes $5 or $10 streamed cash game with Team Online members. In this format, Dryha and her fellow Team Online players helped bridge the gap between professional poker and interactive entertainment, as they shared their strategies and personalities with the world.
Breaking Ground as the Only Woman in Team Online
In the debut lineup of Americas Cardroom’s Team Online, Svitlana Dryha stands out as its sole female talent. That honor, however, comes with its unique challenges and opportunities. In an industry where women make up a mere 5% of the player base, her presence matters in the fight to improve gender diversity. Americas Cardroom has made clear its commitment to promoting underrepresented sectors in poker, and Dryha’s inclusion in Team Online is a meaningful part of that mission. For example, Dryha was tapped for a high-profile hosting duty at the platform’s annual online charity poker tournament for breast cancer awareness. The 2024 event featured a $15,000 guaranteed prize pool and a $55 buy-in, with $20,000 in proceeds benefiting the United Breast Cancer Foundation. Working alongside fellow Americas Cardroom pros Katie Lindsay and Ebony Kenney, Dryha brought warmth, engagement, and a genuine connection with the audience. “It’s great to see how much the poker community comes together for these charity events,” Lindsay said at the time, underscoring poker’s role in positive change.
Building a Poker Brand for the Streaming Era
Svitlana Dryha’s trajectory matters because it gives us a glimpse into how poker stardom is evolving. Previous eras saw player reputation rise with tournament results and the rare televised appearance. Today, on the other hand, makes poker stars of those who thrive on Twitch, YouTube, and short-form video content. Americas Cardroom’s Team Online has this disctinct purpose; unlike their Pros, Dryha and her team are charged with creating a constant flow of content such as YouTube shorts and “Day in the Life” video series, which keeps both the individual and the platform visible.
Svitlana “Svetarik” Dryha is still early in her career compared to the giants who inspired her, but her trajectory is going up. She’s grown from being an online cash player into a multi-table tournament specialist with over $40,000 in total live earnings. Under the banner of Americas Cardroom Team Online, she has enough support to achieve new milestones that may take other players years to accomplish. Poker’s streaming era also shines brighter with her participation, as she creates hilarious, relevant content that Gen-Z players will connect with. Like Negreanu before her, Dryha blends competitive excellence with personal accessibility, positioning her poker career as one to watch.
