Ladies Week in Las Vegas. One could argue that every week in Las Vegas is a ladies’ week. But poker players know exactly what it means. It is the week of the summer, during the time of the World Series of Poker, that women descend upon Sin City with their poker bankrolls to play the game they love with like-minded women from around the world.
Since it is held in Las Vegas, it is easy for women who attend Ladies Week to find things to do. Every casino, pool, nightclub, and restaurant offers something appealing. There are drink specials and pool parties, shopping at stores that are unique to Vegas, and even slots tournaments offer terrific fun.
Those things may hold some appeal, but poker is the name of the game.
Ladies Week has become so popular with women in poker that the number of events and tournaments offered specifically with them in mind has increased through the years. What started more than a decade ago with the WSOP Ladies Event and another event here or there – maybe at Binion’s or the Venetian – has turned into a week jam-packed with poker opportunities.
It can be tough to sort through the schedules, though, so let’s boil it down to several must-attend tournaments and events. Since seven is a lucky number for many gamblers, here’s our list of the top seven.
1. WSOP Ladies Championship (June 28)
This is the big one. The three-day tournament starts on Thursday, June 28, and those wanting to start on time can take their seats at 11:00 am. The buy-in is technically $10,000 for Event 57, but women are given a discount of $9,000, making the buy-in just $1,000. (For those unfamiliar with the reasoning, the WSOP established this discounted system to discourage men from playing the event. Quite often, men with $1,000 to spare bought into the tournament as a joke. Haha, very funny, now it costs $10K for those hilarious fellows.)
The tournament is a serious one, as there is a lot of prize money and a WSOP gold bracelet on the line, but it also tends to be a fun, friendly atmosphere for everyone involved, including the tournament staff. Famously, Hollywood actress Jennifer Tilly won the WSOP Ladies Championship back in 2005.
2. WiPHoF Luncheon and Induction Ceremony (June 26)
The Women in Poker Hall of Fame is celebrating its latest inductees this summer with an extravagant luncheon and ceremony. The festivities kick off at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 26, and the place to be is the Orleans. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased online at WomensPokerHallofFame.com, with all proceeds going to benefit PokerGives.org.
(Side note: Members of the Women’s Poker Association receive a $10 discount on the ticket.)
Women in Poker Hall of Fame Luncheon Tues June 26th 11AM @OrleansPoker Open to the Public, Tickets Available $50 Witness @MariaHo Inducted by @RealKidPoker & @PokerLupe Inducted by @FirstLadyPoker – @SavagePoker Keynote Speaker @Jan_Fisher our MC! Visit https://t.co/qYTUTGAdJ4 pic.twitter.com/To4O5NMbiG
— ♠️ ♥ Lupe Soto ♦️ ♣️ (@PokerLupe) June 20, 2018
This is a fabulous opportunity to meet many women who are legends in the game, as well as those who are making waves today. Maria Ho and Lupe Soto, this year’s honorees, will both be in attendance, to be inducted by First Lady of Poker Linda Johnson and Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu, respectively. The keynote speaker will be renowned tournament director Matt Savage and emceeing the ceremonies will be Women in Poker Hall of Famer Jan Fisher.
3. LIPS National Championship (June 29 or 30)
The Ladies International Poker Series has been a staple in the poker industry for many years, and it was one of the very first groups to organize tournaments specifically for women. This year, LIPS has an entire series lined up from June 25 to July 1 at the Orleans and Venetian, with buy-ins ranging from $110 (per person in the Tag Team Switch event) to $500.
The major event, however, is the 2018 LIPS National Championship. The $250 buy-in NLHE event offers two starting days – Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30 – both at 11:00 am.
The big kicker this year is that PokerStars has offered up a Platinum Pass Package worth $30,000 to one lucky player. Everyone who makes the final table has a chance to win the package, which will send a woman to the Bahamas next January to play the $25,000 buy-in PokerStars Poker Players NLHE Championship with $8 million added to the prize pool.
Hey, ladies…this one’s for you.
Want to win a #PlatinumPass? There are tons of chances to do so, but this one is just for you. https://t.co/yWeCHBcGBk
cc: @LIPS_Tour pic.twitter.com/jBdbtLvcAX
— PokerStarsBlog (@PokerStarsBlog) June 7, 2018
4. Helix Poker Diamond Bracelet Ladies Tournament (June 27)
Helix Poker, founded by noted poker philanthropist, 2-time WSOP Circuit winner, and women in poker advocate Lena Evans, is offering several events surrounding Ladies Week this year, the main one being a $300 tournament with rebuys at the South Point Casino on Wednesday, June 27. The event begins at noon, and there will be a diamond bracelet and specially designed championship belt set aside for the winner, along with the prize money, of course. And speaking of the prize money, there is a $20,000 guarantee.
5. Grand Poker Ladies Only (June 25)
This tournament is always a fun way to kick off the week and has been popular for years. The Golden Nugget hosts the ladies-only tournament, part of their annual Grand Poker Series, that starts on Monday, June 25. The start time is 11:00 am, buy-in is $150, and rebuys will be available.
6. Ladies Breakfast (June 28, before the WSOP event)
In the past several years, it has become a tradition for some of the women playing in the WSOP Ladies Championship to gather for breakfast at the Rio before the tournament. It is a great way to relax, eat a good breakfast, share a few tips and stories, and even size up the competition.
This year, they’re doing it bigger than ever. There will be a limo party bus taking women to the Rio that morning. Pickups begin at 8 am at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas, with additional stops at Strip casinos to follow. The bus can hold 30 people, which means space is limited, but more information is available on the Women’s Poker World website.
7. Helix Poker University (June 26)
There is one reason not to miss this poker training seminar: Jamie Kerstetter. She’s not only a very skilled poker player and hilarious tweeter, she is a great instructor as well. She is working with Helix Poker University this year and charging only $100 for the two-hour course, which comes with a continental breakfast. Education begins at 10:00 am, and there is a $10 discount available for those registered to play in the Helix event mentioned above.
Hey Ladies! Get ready for the @WSOP Ladies Event by joining @JamieKerstetter for a two hour course 10AM Tuesday, June 26th at @southpointlv! Register here: https://t.co/zhnvD1SA3f #WSOP2018 pic.twitter.com/FFU0Oro7T0
— RunGoodGear.com (@RunGoodGear) June 16, 2018
All in all, there are plenty of things to do, friends to see, women to meet, and poker to play. Have fun!
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