2025 Women’s Poker Week: Venetian MUG with Jamie Kerstetter and $600 LIPS 75K GTD

On Tuesday, June 24th, the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) rolled into the Venetian to stage its $600 Ladies Championship. The event carried a guarantee of $75,000. Before that event got underway, Jamie Kerstetter hosted a special Meetup Breakfast Game at 9 a.m., where she would give away two tickets to the $600 event.

A random draw determined the winners, and the two lucky ladies, Rebbecca Scales from Women Poker News and Jin O’Grady, were both ecstatic to play.

Jamie Kerstetter’s MUG at the Venetian

Tommy LaRosa, director of poker operations for The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, had this to say about their ambassador Jamie Kerstetter, “She is highly respected in the poker community, not only for her skill at the table, but also her integrity. We’re proud to partner with her as we continue to grow the game, particularly by fostering a stronger, more inclusive space for women in our poker room. Her presence and influence are instrumental in inspiring new players and elevating the overall experience.”

When asked about why Women’s Poker Week is important for the poker industry, LaRosa responded: “By actively supporting and growing the women’s game, we’re helping to create a welcoming environment in the poker room where everyone feels like they belong.”

$2,500 Venetian High Roller Women’s Event Winner: Tirza Sanders

Faded Spade provided the official playing cards for the prestigious $2,500 High Roller Women’s Event at the Venetian, which was broadcast live and played alongside the $600 NLH LIPS Ladies Event. The energy in the room was electric as the final table unfolded.

The day began with seven talented women battling for the title, but it came down to a thrilling heads-up match between Isabelle Dang of Canada, who earned her entry through a satellite, and Arizona’s Tirza Sanders.

Isabelle entered heads-up play with a commanding chip lead, but momentum shifted quickly. A pivotal flip leveled the stacks, and from that point on, the two finalists remained nearly even in chips. Their back-and-forth battle lasted over two intense hours, showcasing skill, patience, and mental endurance.

The decisive hand came when Tirza opened with queen-eight offsuit, and Isabelle flat-called with pocket kings. The flop and turn brought drama: Tirza made two pair on the turn and led out with a bet. Isabelle shoved all-in, and after a calculated pause, Tirza made the call. Isabelle needed the board to pair on the river to survive, but it came up blank, crowning Tirza Sanders the champion.

Both players displayed exceptional skill throughout the match, and their final table performance was a testament to the level of competition in today’s women’s poker.

Our Player of the Day section is sponsored by Tom Wheaton, Founder & CEO, Faded Spade Playing Cards & Above the Felt. When asked why they opted to sponsor our Women’s Poker Week coverage, Tom replied, “Poker isn’t just about cards, it’s about community. We support the WPA because they’re helping build a more balanced and inclusive future for the game, one where women feel welcome, empowered, and respected at every table, whether playing in the poker room or leading in the boardroom. That mission aligns with everything we stand for at Faded Spade.”

Be sure to visit their website, at: https://www.fadedspade.com

WPA Player of the Day: Rebbecca Scales

Rebbecca Scales: Championing Women in Poker

Women’s advocate. Mentor. Inspiration. Rebbecca Scales has spent years in the casino industry, primarily in marketing, where she grew frustrated with the lack of attention paid to women. That frustration became fuel for change. About a decade ago, she picked up poker and found her calling, not only in playing the game, but in changing how women are seen and supported in the poker world.

Rebbecca’s poker journey took a pivotal turn when she met her mentor, Lupe Soto, a trailblazer in women’s poker. “She took me in,” Rebbecca says warmly. “She’s a great mentor, and I can talk to her about anything.” With Lupe’s encouragement, Rebbecca joined the board of the Women’s Poker Association (WPA) and immediately got involved in supporting women players.

Her most visible contribution? Founding Women Poker News, a media platform dedicated to telling the stories of women in the game. She has been writing engaging and informative articles for about a year now, providing much-needed visibility to female players. When asked what inspired her to launch it, Rebbecca replied with a single word: “Sexism.”

Las Vegas and the poker world remain heavily male-dominated, but organizations like the WPA and LIPS are working to create a more equitable playing field. Rebbecca is especially proud of how local casinos have begun to embrace women’s events. “They finally have a good structure, solid guarantees, and are held at reasonable times,” she explains. “Women aren’t just an afterthought anymore.”

Rebbecca’s connection to cards dates back to her childhood, when she played games with her grandmother, who referred to them as “playing cards.” When she took up poker seriously about 10 years ago, it became more than just a hobby. Living in Las Vegas gives her endless opportunities to play, particularly mixed games, which are her specialty. She doesn’t adhere to a strict study routine. “I play on days when it feels good to play,” she says.

But poker has meant more than tournaments and strategies. It’s been a lifeline. “Poker helped me through my divorce, being a single mom, and helped pay the bills,” she shares. Teaching the basics to over 1,000 women has not only grown the game but sharpened her own skills through sheer repetition. Her circle of female poker comrades also provides a strong foundation for learning and support.

When asked what she’d like to see change in the industry, Rebbecca is clear: “More media coverage for women’s events and for women in poker in general.”

Rapid-Fire Q&A with Rebbecca Scales

What drink best describes your poker game?
Sweet tea.

If you could host a poker game anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I love Vietnam.

What’s one rule you love to break at the table?
Saying the F word.

Notable Names and Faces Fill the Fiery Field

With 302 entries, the Venetian $600 Ladies Championship event prize pool soared to an impressive $152,510. The eventual champion took home a handsome $30,869, while the top 38 finishers earned a minimum payout of $1,245. Among the notable players in the field was Ruth Hall, who has been on a marathon run of events and deep finishes, this time placing 15th. PokerStars Ambassador Jennifer Shahade made a late appearance and finished 18th. Also in the mix was 2023 Women’s Poker Association Player of the Year, Chris Read, who secured 23rd place, and Game of Gold contestant Olga Iermolcheva, who finished 30th.

Venetian $600 Ladies Championship Final Table & Results

Nine fierce and focused women took their seats at the final table, each one ready for battle. Ying Zhu came in with the chip lead, fresh off a third-place finish at the Wynn Ladies Event the previous day. Early on, the table attempted to negotiate an ICM (Independent Chip Model) chop, but no agreement could be reached, so play continued.

The stamina award undoubtedly goes to Jin O’Grady, who (as mentioned earlier) won her seat during the 9 a.m. Meet-Up Game. Remarkably, at 3 a.m., Jin was still in the mix and holding strong. She secured a critical double-up with ace-nine, spiking trip nines, and quipped, “I have nine lives.”

When the field was down to four players, a second ICM chop discussion began. At that point, Vanessa Castro had climbed into the chip lead and was awarded the coveted WPA and LIPS trophies, along with a $22,447 cash prize. Ying Zhu held second in chips, followed by Jin O’Grady in third and Christy Whitehurst in fourth.

Vanessa had made it clear she coveted the trophies more than anything, even offering to concede some of the prize money to secure the official first-place title. Earlier in the night, during an earlier chop negotiation, Vanessa had been all in and started packing her bag, until she hit a full house on the river. She doubled up again shortly after, propelling her to the top of the chip counts and ultimately to victory.

Four-way chop Venetian $600 WPA Ladies Event

2025 Women’s Poker Week: Upcoming Events:

• Wednesday, June 25, 11:00 a.m. Aria $800 Ladies NLH Mystery Bounty
• Thursday, June 26, 10:00 a.m. Paris/Mon Ami Gabi WPA & Pocket Queens Annual WSOP Breakfast (sold out)
• Thursday, June 26th, noon Horseshoe/Paris $1,000 WSOP Ladies No Limit Hold’em Championship