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 Sabina Gadecki wanted to
be a star from an early age, but never dreamed that she would become the hostess of the World Poker Tour. Born September 28, 1983 in
Chicopee, Massachusetts, Gadecki's first language was Polish. She didn’t begin to speak English until reaching Kindergarten.
Coincidentally, she grew up in a house of casual gamblers; her family loved keno, playing the lottery, and even had a poker night at
her house when she was a kid. As an aspiring model-actress, Gadecki took dance lessons throughout her childhood and adolescence, and
was also a cheerleader in high school. In addition, she was a strong competitor in pageants and was crowned Miss Polonia World and
Miss Western Massachusetts in 2002. At age 18, Gadecki worked as a cocktail waitress and bartender in a night club while studying
theatre and communications at Holyoke Community College. After receiving an associate’s degree at age 19, she moved to New York City
where she attended Fordham University, majoring in international business with a minor in communications. Gadecki also worked as a
model, appearing in Seventeen, Redbook, and Premier.
When Gadecki's agent informed her that she needed to make a demo tape for her World Poker Tour audition, she went all out, dressing up
like a Las Vegas tourist -- complete with a visor and cowboy boots. When her agent saw the tape, he said “They’ll either think you’re
crazy, or they’ll love it.” Apparently, the WPT loved it and offered Gadecki the hostess job just two weeks before the fifth season
kicked off with the Mirage Poker Showdown in Las Vegas. She replaced Courtney Friel and became the third hostess of the show. CEO
Steve Lipscomb said, "We chose Sabina from hundreds of applicants. She emerged as the right fit because of the star qualities she
naturally exhibits." Gadecki admits she knew absolutely nothing about poker before taking on the hosting gig, but has since become a
fan of the game, even playing in the 2006 Ladies Event at the World Series of Poker and attending the WPT Bootcamp. In 2006 she also played
a charity tournament in New York with fellow WPT host Mike Sexton
where they both outlasted nearly 200 players to meet at the final table.
Gadecki has said that the hardest part of hosting the World Poker Tour was interviewing the players after they got knocked out of the
tournaments. As a life-long competitor in pageants and dance competitions, she understood that they didn’t necessarily want to be talking
with her at the time. Despite meeting the players when they probably weren’t in the best moods, Gadecki reportedly became close friends with
several of them, including Gavin Smith, Erick Lindgren, and Brad Booth.
Gadecki hosted the World Poker Tour for only one season before being replaced by Layla Kayleigh. She has since returned to school at Fordham
University where she is finishing up her degree. Gadecki continues to pursue her career in show business, attending acting classes at the
prestigious William Esper Studios and studies dance at the Broadway Dance Center. She is also part of the dance company TADAH (tap, acting, dance,
and hip-hop). Gadecki prides herself in the various volunteer work she has completed, including work with organizations such as the American Cancer
Society, American Red Cross, AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and Piasecka Johnson Foundation for Autism. She also is very close to her
family, saying “They’re my best friends.” Gadecki lives in New York City and is in a long-term relationship with NBA player David Lee.
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Sabina Gadecki photos |
