Exploring the Journey of the WSOP Ladies Championship from Its Inception to Today!

This summer, Shiina Okamoto celebrated her triumph as the champion of the annual Ladies Championship at the World Series of Poker. Her victory marked a significant comeback after an intense two-year period. The Japanese player clinched her first bracelet, winning $171,732, following her second-place finish in 2023, where she earned $118,768. Poker She expressed her feelings post-event, saying, “Winning this year is even more meaningful, especially after finishing second last year and having the support of all my fans here.”

Okamoto's remarkable performance has placed her name alongside the titans of poker who have excelled in this prestigious tournament. As the poker community strives to welcome more women into the game, the Ladies Championship has consistently featured on the annual schedule, drawing a historic 1,295 players in 2023.

Over the years, the dynamics of this event have evolved and gained traction within the broader poker community. Many women relish the opportunity to participate, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and a collective passion for the game.

Poker tournaments WSOP Ladies Championship - The Foundational Years: 1970s and 80s

Initiated in 1977, the Ladies Championship represented one of poker's earliest and most significant efforts to engage female players, kicking off with a $100 Limit Seven-Card Stud tournament.

That inaugural competition drew in 93 competitors, where Jackie McDaniels emerged victorious, earning a prize of $5,580. This amount is notable as it remains one of the lowest payouts in WSOP's storied history.

• The following year saw an increase in the buy-in to $200, with Terry King from California clinching the title among 93 players, taking home $10,080.

• In 1979, the buy-in increased again to $400, a rate maintained until 1981, before jumping to $500 for another decade through 1991.

• During this period, the tournament witnessed triumphs from three-time bracelet champion Barbara Enright, who won in 1986 for $16,400 and again in 1994 for $38,400. She also made history in 1996 by winning a $2,500 Pot Limit Hold'em event for $180,000, becoming the first woman to win an open WSOP event.

A few names stand out in women’s poker history In 1995, Enright made waves as the only female to make it to the final table of the $10,000 Main Event, finishing in fifth place and earning $114,180. In 2007, she was honored as the first woman inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on the past, she shared with Card Player magazine, “Things were so different over 30 years ago, but I recall that the players were generally welcoming. I never encountered major issues with the men; most were quite nice. The only annoyance was the smoke, as smoking was allowed in all poker rooms back then.”

WSOP Ladies Championship - The Growth in the 1990s

In 1984, Karen Wolfson won the event with a prize of $15,500 and performed consistently well for several years, finishing as runner-up in both 1995 and 1997. Alma McClelland, the spouse of former WSOP tournament director Jack McClelland, secured victory in 1989, earning $18,600.

The attendance figure surpassed 100 players for the first time in 1990, with 110 competitors showing up, Marie Gabert taking home the bracelet and $22,000.

The buy-in reached $1,000 in 1992, which remains the basis today, although the official amount is now $10,000 with a $9,000 discount for women to encourage their participation.

Renowned Las Vegas poker professional and author Susan Isaacs achieved back-to-back victories in 1996 and 1997. She followed this by scoring a 10th-place finish in the Main Event in 1998, earning $40,000, later documenting her experiences in the book “MsPoker: Up Close & Personal,” sharing her life and offering strategic insights.

In 2000, the tournament format evolved to combine Seven-Card Stud with Limit Hold’em, resulting in a record attendance of 133 players. South Korea’s Kun Nan “Nani” Dollison took home $53,200 for winning this event. The following year, she triumphed in a $2,000 Limit Hold'em event, earning $441,440, and became the second woman to win consecutively in the Ladies Championship, adding another $41,130 to her winnings.

With the onset of the poker boom in the 2000s, the Ladies Championship attracted significantly more players. In 2004, the Seven-Stud component was removed, and Hung Doan emerged victorious in a Limit Hold’em event with a record-breaking 201 entries, earning $58,530. poker books .

WSOP Ladies Championship – Big Names

In the subsequent year, the format transitioned to No-Limit Hold'em, leading to substantial growth in participation driven by the rise of televised poker and online gaming. That year saw 601 players contributing to a prize pool of $546,910 with a top payout of $158,335.

Ultimately, the victory went to Jennifer Tilly, whose win garnered immense media attention. Coming from a family with a history in gambling, she developed a deeper interest in poker after dating professional player Phil Laak during the booming 2000s.

“Living with Phil, you sort of absorb the game unconsciously,” she remarked back then. “It’s even comical—he sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night shouting poker terminology while other men might call out names of women.”

WSOP Ladies Championship - Notable Recent Winners

In 2007, the WSOP established the World Series of Poker Ladies Academy to encourage more women to join the sport. Sally Boyer, who had only been playing for a brief time and attended the poker training camp, later emerged triumphant in the Ladies Championship, taking home $262,077. The event recorded an unprecedented entry count of 1,286.

However, by 2013, participation dipped to 954 players, where one of the all-time best female poker players snagged the title. Kristen (Bicknell) Foxen claimed her first bracelet worth $173,922. The Canadian pro, who picked up poker while in college, has since secured four bracelets, more than any other woman.

📷 © World Series of Poker- WSOP Ladies Championship - Alex Foxen

Foxen, who tied the knot with fellow poker professional Alex Foxen in 2022, made headlines this summer with a remarkable achievement in the record-breaking Main Event. Her journey is akin to the narratives in popular films, as she ultimately finished 13th out of 10,112 players, earning $600,000.

In the aftermath, she expressed her feelings on Twitter, saying, “It was a very disappointing conclusion; I truly desired that bracelet and played with all my heart. I am incredibly thankful for the chance to compete in such a landmark tournament.”

Eisenberg voiced the sentiments of many women players upon winning her first bracelet, stating, \"This feels like a dream realized. I entered this event hoping to make it to the final table, and winning it is an indescribable sensation. The whole experience was incredible. It was filled with humor, and there was such a supportive atmosphere. Overall, it was a fabulous event with tough competition.\" poker movies $1,000 Ladies' Limit Hold'em/Seven Card Stud

$10,000/$1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold'em Championship

Sean Chaffin is a dedicated freelance writer based in Ruidoso, New Mexico, focusing on covering poker, gambling, and the casino industry among other subjects. You can follow him on Twitter at @PokerTraditions or reach out via email at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net.

WSOP Ladies Championship - The Foundational Years: 1970s and 80s

WSOP Ladies Championship - The Growth in the 1990s

WSOP Ladies Championship - Notable Recent Winners

WSOP Ladies Championship - WINNERS