Cardplayer Lifestyle’s coverage of the 2025 Women’s Poker Week continued Friday, June 20th, at a beloved locals’ hotspot, South Point Casino. The featured event, held in partnership with the Women’s Poker Association (WPA) and the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS), was the $200 No-Limit Hold’em Mini Main.
Late registration remained open through Level 8, ultimately drawing 134 entries and generating a solid $21,440 prize pool. The lion’s share, $4,878, was claimed by Ruth Hall, who outlasted the field to take home the title.
Ruth’s road to victory was anything but smooth. After an early setback that left her short-stacked, she mounted a determined comeback. Once she regained traction and built a healthy chip stack, there was no stopping her. True to her nickname, ‘Ruthless,’ Hall dominated the field with a focused and aggressive style of play.
Fueling her performance was the presence of Poker Hall of Famer Linda Johnson, who cheered her on from the sidelines. Ruth also had her eye on a bigger goal: earning valuable league points in pursuit of the coveted WPA “Player of the Year” title, a distinction she hopes to capture for the second time.
Runner-up Nancy Passano proved to be a formidable opponent for Hall in the final stretch. Competing in her first-ever LIPS event, Passano embraced the experience with enthusiasm and made an impressive debut. She now sets her sights on several upcoming World Series of Poker events, including the highly anticipated 2025 Ladies Championship set to take place next week.
Final Payout Results
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Ruth Hall | Round Rock TX, USA | $4,878 |
| 2 | Nancy Passano | Pompton Lakes NJ, USA | $3,130 |
| 3 | Toni Bisconti | Acron OH, USA | $2,144 |
| 4 | Yang Armentrout | Henderson NV, USA | $1,544 |
| 5 | Lisa Petty | Clarkdale AZ, USA | $1,190 |
| 6 | Sharolyn Sloat | Victoria BC, CA | $1,044 |
| 7 | Debi Stephenson | Calgary AB, CA | $933 |
| 8 | Amy Wingate | Henderson NV, USA | $832 |
| 9 | Laura Westfield | Amety OR, USA | $735 |
| 10 | Sandra Postelwaite | Owasao OK, USA | $643 |
| 11 | Kimberley Beach | Twin Lake MI, USA | $643 |
| 12 | Kara Westerman | Marysville WA, USA | $643 |
| 13 | Kathleen Martin | Sun Lakes AZ, USA | $555 |
| 14 | Melissa Landers | Las Vegas NV, USA | $555 |
| 15 | Marites Deitz | Las Vegas NV, USA | $555 |
| 16 | Jill Bowen | McDade TX, USA | $472 |
| 17 | Sherill Miller | Tucson AZ, USA | $472 |
| 18 | Dana Babel | Terahonden LA, USA | $472 |
Later in the day, the action continued at South Point Casino with the $180 LIPS WSOP Survivor Satellite, which kicked off at 2:10 p.m. and featured late registration through 5:20 p.m. In this unique format, one in 10 players would earn a $360 entry into the LIPS National Championship along with $1,090 in cash.
A total of 62 entrants took their shot, with six players walking away with both the coveted ticket and the cash prize. The seventh-place finisher earned a $290 consolation payout. The LIPS National Championship event for which they qualified is scheduled to take place at South Point Casino on June 27th (Day 1a) and June 28th (Day 1b), both starting at 10:00 a.m.
Satellite Payouts
| Player | Country | Prize |
| Bonnie Weitzel | United States | $1,450 |
| Herminigilda Tongol | United States | $1,450 |
| Marjorie Dacko | United States | $1,450 |
| Leora Rohrer | United States | $1,450 |
| Holly Jones | United States | $1,450 |
“We always enjoy hosting the ladies here, and Lupe always does a fantastic job organizing these events,” said Thomas Dietz, Tournament Director at South Point Casino. “This is our fourth or fifth year hosting, and we’re excited to continue supporting future events.”
Dietz was referring to Lupe Soto, the driving force behind LIPS and a tireless advocate for women in poker. Lupe’s passion is unmistakable, from the way she warmly greets each player to her relentless dedication in coordinating events across the country and beyond. Her efforts have played a pivotal role in growing opportunities for women in the game.
WATCH: Interview with Lupe Soto
Lupe is joined in her mission by her daughter, Angela Garcia, who helps spearhead fundraising efforts for the associated charity. Their signature booth — hard to miss with its sparkle and vibrant energy — offers a wide range of poker-themed items, including jewelry, card protectors, and hats. The booth will remain active at South Point Casino for the next two weeks, and visitors are encouraged to stop by, say hello to Angela, and support a meaningful cause.
Our Women’s Poker Week coverage and Player of the Day interview are made possible in part by WPA sponsor Faraz Jaka. When asked why he wanted to support women in poker, he 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!”
Founder, Jaka Coaching
Website: https://jakacoaching.com/
WPA Player of the Day: Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones is a dedicated and spirited member of the women’s poker community whose journey into the game began in 2018. After becoming an empty nester, Jennifer sought a fun and engaging way to fill her time, and found it in poker. She started out playing bar games in her home state of Utah, but everything changed when she stumbled upon a LIPS event during a trip to Las Vegas. That encounter sparked a new passion, and she’s been a regular face at LIPS events ever since.
For the past four years, Jennifer has made the annual trip to Las Vegas for Women’s Poker Week, finding not just competition, but camaraderie. Though initially intimidated, she was quickly welcomed by the supportive community of women. “I really felt included in the group,” she shared with a smile. Each visit brings new friendships, and Jennifer says she makes at least two close friends every year. Her love for the community has also taken her on several poker cruises, experiences she describes as unforgettable highlights.
Jennifer plans to play multiple tournaments during Ladies Week, including the prestigious WSOP Ladies Event. She’s a member of a poker group in Pleasant Grove, Utah, which sends one player each year to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Jennifer won that coveted seat a few years ago. Though she didn’t cash, the experience of playing on poker’s biggest stage was, in her words, “exhilarating.” While she doesn’t formally study the game, Jennifer is drawn to its strategic depth and continues to grow as a player.
But poker is only part of her story.
When she’s not at the tables, Jennifer is a devoted animal rescuer. At this tournament, she was accompanied by her two small dogs, one of whom, Gizmo, has become something of a mascot. At 16 years old, Gizmo was rescued from a shelter where he was set to be euthanized. Jennifer initially planned to foster him, but her husband quickly fell in love and insisted they keep him. Now, Gizmo often attends tournaments in a stroller or snuggled in Jennifer’s lap, soaking up affection from fellow players.
Jennifer’s dedication to animal welfare goes far beyond fostering. She travels cross-country, rescuing dogs from high-risk shelters and relocating them to no-kill facilities. To date, she’s saved over 170 dogs from euthanasia, often using her own winnings to support the cause.
Whether she’s stacking chips or saving lives, Jennifer Jones embodies heart, determination, and community spirit, on and off the felt.
2025 Women’s Poker Week: Upcoming Events
On Saturday, June 21st:
- 10:10 a.m. South Point Casino $240 Omaha8 Championship.
- 11:00 a.m. Orleans $600 Ladies Championship.
- 7:10 p.m. Venetian $300 NLH Milestone Satellite to the Women in Poker High Roller 3 seats GTD.
On Sunday, June 22nd:
- 12:10 p.m. Venetian NLH LIPS Ladies High Roller $100K GTD (3-day).
Stay tuned for more updates from 2025 Women’s Week in Las Vegas.
