Isabelle Mercier

As a graduate of the University of Montreal, Canadian Isabelle Mercier began practicing law. But she soon realised that an office job was not for her despite offers to work for a prestigious investment company. Instead she chose to see the world and opted for work in the casino business as a means to travel, starting in Paris and the famous Aviation Club De France. It proved valuable experience for her next career move.

Starting as a dealer Isabelle would eventually become poker room manager, nominated for ‘Staff Person of the Year’ at the European Poker Awards. During this time Isabelle was learning to play poker herself, particularly watching how people played and made money. Inevitably she decided she wanted to be dealt the cards and after multiple final tables and cash finishes she sits as a player with one of the most aggressive reputations in the game. Her first major win came in 2004 at a WPT invitational where she came 1st at the Ladies Night Out event. The $25,000 was worth the effort but it was the exposure to millions of viewers watching on TV that helped establish her reputation, with WPT host Mike Sexton, impressed by Isabelle’s playing style, dubbing her ‘No Mercy’, the nickname she uses to this day. She then narrowly missed out in the final table of the Grand Final in season one of the EPT, finishing 10th for $31,811. A few weeks later she made a further $56,616 for 28th place in the $25,000 WPT Championship event. A number of WSOP* cashes have also followed, including a final table in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em event in 2006 where she finished 5th for $175,404.

Away from the table Isabelle is always busy. She often provides commentary for numerous TV poker shows, among them WPT broadcasts, and recently wrote her autobiography and hosted a DVD about poker strategy. Any spare time is spent enjoying music and fashion.

She truly does live up to her nickname and her style of play has put many of the game’s best players on their guard, and been profitable for Isabelle. Future wins await and as a member of Team PokerStars Pro Isabelle plays fittingly under the name ‘NoMercy’.

Career Highlights