Our coverage of 2025 Women’s Poker Week continues with “the Granddaddy of them all”, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) $1,000 Ladies Championship at Horseshoe and Paris Casino.
Just ahead of the event’s kickoff, the Women’s Poker Association(WPA) and Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) started the day with a tasty breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi.
This year’s field of 1,368 entrants surpassed last year’s total, reflecting the continued growth and popularity of ladies’ events. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a genuine sense of community. Dealers shared how much they enjoyed working these tournaments, noting the upbeat energy and friendly banter. Some tables were toasting with cocktails, others were swapping jokes, and many players were savoring the chance to reconnect with old poker friends.
There was no shortage of remarkable individuals in this tournament, each with a unique story to tell. Among them is Ruth “Ruthless” Hall, a fierce competitor who has advanced to Day 2. Last year, she told PokerNews it might be her final WSOP appearance, as she was battling cancer and a serious heart condition, all while caring for her terminally ill husband, Keith Hall. Sadly, Keith has since passed, but Ruth has continued her fight with unrelenting strength, much like the way she plays poker.
After undergoing major surgery, enduring extensive treatments, and pushing through a difficult recovery, Ruth has returned to the felt with renewed determination. She has played eight days in a row, cashed in six of her tournaments, and even claimed a first-place victory at the South Point Ladies Event. Her spirit remains unshakable, and she honors her late husband by using a small urn containing his ashes as a card protector, a powerful symbol of love, memory, and resilience.
By the end of Day 1, only 374 players remained from the starting field of 1,368. With 206 players set to make the money and a minimum cash of $2,101, those still in the hunt will have to battle hard to secure a payout. The prize pool swelled to an impressive $1,203,840, with first place earning $184,094 and the coveted WSOP bracelet. Last year’s champion, Shiina Okamoto, is once again making waves, sitting near the top of the chip counts heading into Day 2. She’ll definitely be a player to keep an eye on.
WPA Player of the Day: Sigrid Dencker
Our player of the day is sponsored by Faraz Jaka, Founder, Jaka Coaching.
When asked why sponsoring these Women’s Events is so essential, Faraz responded, “At Jaka Coaching, we’ve seen a disproportionately high number of women thriving in our community compared to the overall poker landscape. I believe it’s important to highlight and support this, not only to recognize their achievements but to inspire more women to see what’s possible. Whether you’re pursuing poker as a source of income, a competitive outlet, or just want to hold your own at the table, you have a community that’s here to support you!
Website: https://jakacoaching.com/
Sigrid Dencker, Rising Star
Originally from Germany and now living in Austria, Sigrid Dencker is a rising star in the poker world. A recent medical school graduate, Sigrid took some time off to consider her next steps. Life, however, had other plans.
While on a break from her studies, Sigrid met Andreas Putz online. After some time chatting, they lost touch, until one day, Sigrid received a voicemail from Andreas singing her favorite song. That unexpected message rekindled their connection, and after dating, the two fell in love.
Fate continued to play a role in their story. On a trip to another city to meet one of Andreas’s friends, Sigrid was thrilled to discover it was the hometown of Hartmut Engler, lead singer of her favorite band, Pur. As luck would have it, Hartmut lived next door to the friend’s parents, and Sigrid got to meet him. This of course was the song that Andreas sang to win back a date with her.
Andreas, a professional poker player, was planning to travel and play for the year. Sigrid, intrigued and inspired, decided to join him and give poker a try. With Andreas as her mentor, she quickly picked up the game, blending game theory, exploitative play, and mindset training. She also found inspiration in A-Game Poker by Elliot Roe, applying many of its strategies.
READ MORE: Review of A-Game Poker, by Elliot Roe
Living with a group of seasoned poker players, Sigrid surprised everyone when she became the first among them to make a deep run. Though her early Vegas results were disappointing, Andreas encouraged her, saying, “All it takes is one win.” So she entered the Colossus event.
As her housemates were eliminated one by one, Sigrid remained in the game. “It’s up to you now,” they messaged her. Despite ending Day 1 with just seven big blinds and finishing Day 2 with only three, Sigrid stayed calm and played disciplined poker. On Day 3, the momentum shifted. She built her stack, fought her way to the final table, and ultimately secured 8th place, cashing for $73,880.
The timing couldn’t be better: Sigrid and Andreas are getting married in September, and her winnings will help fund the celebration.
Sigrid says her favorite thing about Las Vegas is that “there’s always a chance something unexpected might happen, possibility is everywhere.” She’s also been moved by the support from women’s poker groups and the kindness of fellow players. When Ashira Lavine, the only other woman still in the Colossus, busted out and came over to cheer her on, Sigrid was deeply touched.
With her heart open and her mind sharp, Sigrid is creating a life of her design, one bold move at a time.
2025 Women’s Poker Week: Upcoming Events:
- Friday, June 27, 10:00 a.m. South Point $360 LIPS National Championship Day 1a
- Friday, June 27, 6:00 p.m. $180 LIPS Crazy Pineapple
- Saturday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. South Point $360 LIPS National Championship Day 1b
- Saturday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. MGM Grand $400 Moneymaker Ladies NLH
