Las Vegas, NV (November 18, 2022) – The WPT® World Championship Festival at Wynn Las Vegas is set to dominate the poker calendar in December and thanks to a number of female-focused initiatives, including multiple giveaways and dedicated events, women poker players will be a key part of the overall festivities.
“We are so encouraged by the tremendous initial response to the World Championship Event,” said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “Considering the immense efforts by our very own VP of Global Tour Management, Angelica Hael, it is only fitting to advocate for the progression of women in poker, including the many women who have been critical to the WPT story.”
The WPT Ladies Championship, which has a buy-in of $1,100, features a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool – the largest guarantee for any Ladies Event in poker history. The tournament begins on Dec. 16 and runs through to the televised final table on Dec. 18. This is the first open Ladies Event filmed for television and will be broadcasted across WPT platforms.
During Day 2 of the Ladies Championship, Dec. 17, a WPT Ladies Meet-Up Game will take place. The Ladies MUG, hosted by Jamie Kerstetter, will run $1/$2 and $2/$5 No Limit Hold’em tables in the Wynn Poker Room. Kerstetter will be joined on the felt by, WPT Anchor Lynn Gilmartin, Xuan Liu, Ashley Sleeth, and more.
WPT is awarding Ladies Championship seats in a variety of different ways, including many through partnerships with prominent women’s organizations. Some have already been awarded, while others are still to come. Here is a list of all the opportunities:
- WPT Choctaw – One Passport for Ladies Event participants
- May 4 – Yvette Barrera
- JACK Cleveland Casino – One Passport during their JACK Poker Weekend
- Aug. 27 – Katie Kopp
- SHARE Inc. – One Passport during 2022 Poker Classic
- Oct. 13 – Heidi Straus
- Poker League of Nations – Two Passports during monthly Ladies Event
- Oct. 15 – Stephanie Nolan
- Nov. – TBD
- Women’s Poker Association – Two Passports
- Nov. 8 – Angel Smith (Facebook giveaway with 627 entries)
- Dec. 14 – Bounty prize during WiPHoF
- Women in Poker – Two Passports
- Nov. 28 – TBD
- Dec. – Prize during their Winter Festival
- Milestone Satellite – 10 seats guaranteed
- Dec. 15 – $200 buy-in live satellite at Wynn Las Vegas
- Malta Poker Festival – One Passport
“The WPT World Championship Festival is set to be a record-setting event and we wanted to ensure it also showcases our commitment to growing the presence of women in poker,” said Hael. “We can’t wait to shine a spotlight on these amazing women in the Ladies Championship with a televised final table for our 20th-anniversary broadcasting schedule.”
Hael, who has been with the World Poker Tour® for over a decade, has spearheaded unprecedented international growth for WPT since she joined the company and has consistently encouraged women’s poker initiatives throughout her career. The Australian native was nominated for the 2022 Women in Poker Hall of Fame class and was recently selected as an inductee.
Another Ladies Championship Passport opportunity has developed from Hael’s Hall of Fame induction. ClubWPT™ will host an open tournament on Nov. 27 at 8:00 p.m. Hael will be among the field, along with other WiPHoF members. Knocking out a WiPHoF member earns players a $100 ShopWPT voucher and knocking out Hael grants the Passport bounty prize.
There is no purchase necessary to play on ClubWPT. For more information regarding these events, including how to qualify and location eligibility, visit ClubWPT.com.
For more information regarding this and all World Poker Tour events, visit WPT.com.
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About the World Poker Tour®
World Poker Tour® (WPT®) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 20th season, which airs on Bally Sports in the United States. Season XX of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 43 states and territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, go to WPT.com.
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