Getting to Know Victoria Ailloud Zocalli
If you've been following the European live circuit, chances are you’ve already seen Victoria Ailloud Zocalli flashing a big smile—and scooping big pots—at the tables. Victoria’s poker journey is nothing short of incredible, transitioning from a demanding full-time career in hospitality to becoming a professional player and a major tournament champion in just a few short years.
She’s driven, highly strategic, and a blast to sit next to at the table. As she gears up for an epic summer with Phenom Poker, we asked her to go beyond the standard bio and share a look behind the scenes of her life, her relationship, and her love for a certain French casino buffet. Enjoy!
The First Pokerhand
What’s the very first poker hand you ever remember playing, and what happened?
I don't remember my very first hand ever, but I perfectly remember my first hand in a live casino tournament!
It was a small live buy-in, maybe €150 or €200. I get to the table, I'm UTG (Under The Gun), completely unaccustomed to handling chips, dealing with the dealer, the whole atmosphere... basically, I was pretty stressed!
I was the only woman in the entire room, surrounded by older guys just staring at me. I sit down, and the dealer says: "Come on, come on, it's your turn to act, ma'am."
I had barely even gotten my stack and had no clue what the blinds were. I look at my hand: AKs. I look at the other players, and then at the dealer who starts tapping the table and telling me again: "Come on, it's on you!"
I was totally panicking! At the time, I didn't know you were allowed to think for more than 10 seconds 😂 And given the way he was looking at me—like "she has no business being here"—I ended up just folding... in sheer panic. 🤣
Well, I actually ended up bubbling that same tournament, and I remember being so incredibly proud that I made it that far!
Beginnings and Transition
You mentioned getting hooked on poker via streams during the 2020 lockdown. Was there a specific streamer, event, or moment that made you say, "I want to do this for a living"?
Exactly. The very first stream I watched was Yoh Viral. He had this massive setup with a gaming chair and tons of screens—it was super impressive. I started watching with my brother-in-law, and we were hooked right away.
After that, we binge-watched Dans la tête d’un pro [Inside the Mind of a Pro], started playing Heads-Up against each other, then with friends, and eventually put in a lot of volume online playing freerolls, €2/€5 games, etc.
At the time, I knew professional poker players existed, but I wasn't sure it was actually possible to make a living doing it. For starters, there were almost no women, so it was hard to relate. But the more I played, the more I wanted to improve.
So, I started watching coaching videos on YouTube. Early on, it was mostly Kill Tilt, a French channel that teaches you how to crush the micro-stakes.
I think there were two specific moments that made me say, "Wow... now I want to be the best I can possibly be and make a career out of this."
The first was when I watched Yvan Deyra's WSOP episodes in Vegas. There are like ten episodes, maybe more. You follow his journey from the start of the tournament all the way to the end... and then he wins. World Champion.
The tears, the raw emotion, all the French fans going absolutely crazy on the rail... It was incredible. I’ve probably rewatched it 5 or 6 times since, and I still get chills and tear up every single time. It’s just exceptional how poker can make you feel.
The second moment was my first live win. Again, it was a tiny tournament—I think I only won like €1,000 or €1,500. But even for something that small, I felt that exact same emotional intensity.
The adrenaline rush is just unbelievable.
I went home that night and told myself I had to dedicate 2000% to working on my game, because one day, I was going to be a pro.
You made a huge leap from the hospitality industry to playing poker full-time. What skills from your hotel days translate best to the poker table today?
It's true! I worked with my husband at his hotel in Nice for 5 years. I wore a lot of hats: housekeeping, front desk manager, HR, and even interior designer 😂
Even though hospitality and poker seem like polar opposites at first glance, I actually use a lot of those skills at the tables today.
First and foremost: people skills. In a hotel, you spend all day managing wildly different personalities—sweet guests, stressed-out guests, and sometimes aggressive ones. You learn to read people very quickly, understand their behavior, their moods, and how they react. In poker, that level of observation is a massive advantage.
The hotel business also taught me how to stay calm under pressure. When things go wrong, stress levels are high, the lobby is packed, or customers are upset, you have to remain professional no matter what. Poker—especially tournament poker—is exactly the same. You have to keep your emotions in check and keep making the right decisions even when things get tough.
I also think it gave me an incredible work ethic. The hours were brutal, the days were long, and we rarely had weekends or holidays off. So today, putting in long hours studying, reviewing hands, grinding, or constantly traveling for tournaments feels totally "normal" to me.
And, of course, there’s the international aspect. Thanks to the hotel, I speak English and Italian, which is super handy now. English is an absolute must on the EPT or in the US, and Italian helped me a ton when I used to play in Sanremo a lot.
Ultimately, while it might not be the most traditional path to becoming a poker pro, I genuinely believe the hospitality industry shaped how I approach the game and interact with people.
Going 100% pro is a massive decision. How did you and your husband navigate such a radical lifestyle change?
Honestly, that’s probably the thing I handled the worst in the beginning 😅
For the longest time, I tried to juggle both the hotel and poker. I’d work mornings at the hotel, then grind live tournaments all weekend, sometimes staying up until 3 or 4 AM before going back to work just a few hours later. Between live poker, online sessions, and my day job, I was barely sleeping, and the schedule became completely unsustainable.
But despite all that, I wasn't ready to quit yet. I didn’t have the bankroll or the skill level to feel like a legitimate pro, and on top of that, it was really hard to find someone to replace me at the hotel.
As time went on, poker started taking up more and more space in my life. My husband was incredibly supportive and gave me the freedom to go play, but naturally, it completely threw off our work-life balance. We barely saw each other, I was traveling constantly, and there was a lot of uncertainty and real mental pressure.
The real turning point was when I got selected for the first all-female professional poker team in Europe. That’s when it clicked—I couldn’t keep one foot in and one foot out anymore. I had to jump in 100%.
It wasn't easy on our relationship at first. Between the trips, Vegas, the team pro obligations, and adjusting to this new life, we went through a really tough patch. Mentally, my first year as a pro was probably the hardest, and I think my results reflected that.
But with time, a ton of communication, compromises from both of us, and working with a mental coach, I managed to find a much better balance. Today, things are in a much healthier place, both at the tables and at home.
The Circuit and the Game
You split your volume between cash games and live tournaments. Do you have a strong preference? Is it tough to shift your mindset between the two formats?
Oh, it's definitely clear: my competitive spirit prefers tournaments 1000% 😂
I also think it’s the most complex format when it comes to skill, knowledge, and especially adaptability. Between constantly shifting stack depths, ICM, pressure, table dynamics... there are so many variables to manage. I’ll always be a tournament player at heart; I just love the emotional rollercoaster and the intensity way too much.
That being said, when the big festivals wrap up, I’m always thrilled to jump back into cash games. The vibe is totally different. Unless you’re traveling, you’re usually playing with the same regulars. It’s way more laid back, there’s a lot more laughing, and it has this "family" feel to it that I really enjoy.
I’m someone who talks a lot at the table, and honestly, that’s a huge part of my game. It disarms people, lets me observe their reactions, and helps me get a read on my opponents. Honestly, that aspect is super important to me in tournaments, too.
Plus, cash games are definitely lower variance than tournaments, which is a nice break for the mind 😅
I think adapting to your opponent is crucial in both formats, but in cash games, it’s the main focus. In a tournament, you’re not just playing the player; you have to balance their profile against a dozen other strategic factors that change every orbit.
You took down the High Roller at the Unibet DeepStack Open. Walk us through how that felt and how it validated your decision to go pro.
That win was a massive personal milestone. It happened right when I was practically certain I wanted to do this for the rest of my life, so the emotions I felt that day just validated my choice to go pro.
Mentally, I was in a great headspace—I felt super confident, and honestly, I was running hot. All the stars aligned for that tournament to go perfectly.
But beyond the money, what really stuck with me was the sheer intensity of the emotions. Poker can be brutal mentally, so experiencing a win like that, surrounded by your support system, is an unforgettable memory and the ultimate validation for all the hard work.
Traveling the world to play poker looks super glamorous from the outside, but it’s a real grind. What’s your secret to maintaining balance and a healthy routine on the road?
As for road routines... honestly, I’m still trying to figure out the perfect formula sometimes 😅
More than anything, I think you have to listen to your body, because what works for one person might be terrible for someone else. I’ve tried it all: waking up at the crack of dawn to work out, eating before I play, fasting, crashing immediately after bagging chips, or staying up for hours to decompress 😂
These days, I think I’ve found a groove that works for me. First off, I usually try not to play on the first day of a trip. I need time to shake off the jet lag, get mentally grounded, and visualize my game plan for the festival.
I also make a point to wake up several hours before a tournament starts, even if we wrapped up super late the night before. Taking my time in the morning is essential so I can sit down at the table in the best possible headspace.
Diet-wise, I keep it very light before and during sessions: usually just some fruit on breaks, and then a balanced meal on the dinner break. Digesting a heavy meal drains way too much brainpower, especially during those marathon 15-hour days.
After the tournament, same rule applies: I listen to my body. A lot of times we’ll chill out with friends, talk over some hands, and decompress... then get a solid night's sleep and do it all over again 😄
Gastronomy on the Road
Coming from the South of France, you’ve gotta be a bit of a foodie! What’s the comfort food you miss the most when you’re grinding long tournament stops abroad?
I guess I kinda spilled the beans on this in the last question! 😅
But yeah, eating well during a festival is huge for me, especially when you're playing 10 to 15 hours straight. I really try to be mindful of what I eat so I can stay focused and keep my mental energy up.
That being said, I don’t believe in starving myself either. I keep it healthy, but if I’m craving something, I’ll eat it. And honestly, I almost never settle for the "fast" option just to save time.
Overall, the food in European poker rooms is actually pretty good, so it's not a big issue 😄
Vegas, on the other hand... that’s a whole different story! 😂 After a few weeks out there, I start missing Southern French food like crazy. Fresh produce, simple but high-quality meals, good tomatoes, real olive oil, pasta, Mediterranean dishes... honestly, that stuff becomes a luxury when you're stuck in Vegas for a month!
And honestly, I still haven't found the ultimate food hack out there... so if anyone knows a killer spot in Vegas, I’m all ears! 😂
Out of all the poker rooms and casinos you’ve played in globally, who has the best food?
I think every traveling pro who’s been there will give you the exact same answer: hands down, the buffet at the Pasino d’Aix-en-Provence 🤤
It’s an all-you-can-eat setup—so you have to be careful not to overdo it 😅—but it’s packed with top-tier French ingredients. Fresh fruits and veggies, made-to-order meats and fish, an insane variety of cheeses, desserts... honestly, the buffet is just unreal.
When you're grinding all day during a festival, having access to food that's both delicious and balanced changes the entire experience.
Plus, the vibe in the casino is amazing. They host massive events like the WSOP-C or the PSO, but also more accessible, lower buy-in series. Honestly, in my opinion, it’s probably the best casino in Europe.
Pets and Disconnecting
Life on the circuit means spending a lot of time away from home. Do you have any pets? Is it tough leaving them behind for long grinds?
Yes! I have two dogs and two cats 😄
Animals have always been a huge part of my life, and I love having them around. So naturally, with all the traveling poker requires, it’s not always easy.
When it’s just a short trip for a few days or a week, it’s totally fine—they just stay home with their dad! But for the much longer grinds, like Las Vegas, it honestly breaks my heart a little to leave them.
For the dogs, I actually found an incredible pet sitter who watches them when I'm gone for a long time. She takes them on long walks, to the beach, to the pool... honestly, their vacation is probably better than mine!
Knowing they’re happy and well taken care of gives me so much peace of mind when I’m halfway across the world.
A lot of players use card protectors or bring little plush toys to the table. If you could have a pet (real or imaginary) sitting next to you at a final table for good luck, what would it be?
Without a doubt: my dogs, Chico and Chica 😍
Honestly, I think having them next to me at a final table would keep me so grounded and relaxed 😂
They’d definitely bring me way more luck than any card protector out there!
You travel constantly for poker, but those trips aren't vacations. When you finally get to unplug and take a real trip with your husband—no cards allowed—where’s your dream destination?
We both love to travel, so we’ve been lucky enough to explore some incredible places all over the globe. But surprisingly, when we really need to recharge our batteries, we almost always go back to Morocco.
We actually got married there! ❤️
There’s just something about the country that soothes the soul: the warmth, the kindness of the locals, the overall vibe... and obviously, the couscous! 😂
It’s a place that truly holds a special spot in my heart, and it’s the one place where I can completely disconnect from poker.
Can you completely shut off your 'poker brain' on vacation, or do you still catch yourself calculating odds or EV in everyday life, even while sitting on a beach?
Unfortunately... not even a little bit! 😂
I'm in a ton of Discord and WhatsApp groups where poker friends drop Hand Histories all day long, and I’m way too curious to just ignore them, even when I’m on vacation 😅
I love analyzing spots, reading everyone’s takes, and breaking down the logic... I just find it too interesting. So yeah, even if I'm laying on a beach somewhere, there’s always a moment where my brain flips back to poker mode 😂
To Conclude (Quick Questions)
If you had to play a Heads-Up match for your entire bankroll, who is the last player on earth you’d want to face?
Wow... that is a brutal question!
So many names come to mind, but it’s a toss-up between Adrián Mateos and Patrick Leonard.
They are both incredibly well-rounded, capable of adapting to absolutely anything, and above all, they are mentally terrifying in a Heads-Up scenario 😅
If you could jump in a time machine back to 2020, what advice would you give the version of Victoria who was just starting to take poker seriously?
First and foremost: never quit.
Poker is going to throw a ridiculous amount of obstacles in your way, both mentally and emotionally, but you have to keep pushing forward and trusting yourself.
Never forget that finding a balance between your family, your personal life, and the game is absolutely crucial. Your mental game is arguably the most important key to surviving in this industry.
And above all else, tune out the misogynistic comments. They’ll always be there, but they do not define your worth or your skill level. Trust yourself more, and you’ll get to where you're going a lot faster.
You’re also going to meet some incredible people who will literally change your life, so trust the process, keep a good circle around you... and study as much as humanly possible 😂
