It is the second day of motion on the PokerStars Ladies’s Winter Competition on the Hippodrome On line casino in central London, and whereas the primary champion has already topped, with Charlie Waters taking down the Excessive Curler title, there are many different girls in motion for Day 1b of the Foremost Occasion.
The competition has attracted a various group of gifted girls, every with their very own distinctive tales and backgrounds.
Right here PokerNews takes a take a look at a number of the girls participating within the inaugural competition.
Teresa Newton — From Pub Poker to the Large Leagues
For Teresa Newton, poker began as an off-the-cuff passion together with her accomplice. However her journey has taken a outstanding flip since then. Newton, who received her means into the Ladies’s Winter Competition by an internet qualifier, describes it as “a large achievement”—particularly contemplating that on-line poker is not her traditional area.
“I don’t play on-line in any respect,” Newton advised PokerNews. “I began taking part in in pub poker with my accomplice after which started touring to poker occasions throughout England.”
A member of the Hippodrome Women Membership for over a 12 months, Newton credit the membership with offering a welcoming and supportive environment, serving to her enhance her abilities and make lasting connections.
“It’s an effective way to search out out about upcoming occasions,” she says. “Kerryjane Craigie is absolutely supportive to all the women, and the combination of talents and information has actually helped me develop.”
PokerStars Ambassador Craigie on “Encouraging the Doubters” in Ladies’s Poker
Ilana Belsky — The Diamond Cutter Who Studied Onerous
Neglect about hearts, golf equipment and spades — for Ilana Belsky it is all about diamonds.
Belsky, who can be one of many final remaining diamond cutters within the UK and runs her personal jewellery model, found poker by watching it on TV. And whereas most individuals begin their poker journey by not less than taking part in some precise poker, Belsky took a distinct route.
“I am most likely fairly uncommon,” Belsky says with amusing. “I used to be learning GTO earlier than I might even performed a hand of poker.”
Intrigued, she dove into studying the sport, rapidly making use of her new information to the tables. Her onerous work paid off: “My first event, I beloved it, and once I went again the next week, I got here second.”
As one of many authentic members of the Hippodrome Women Poker Membership, Belsky is now targeted on increasing her poker profession and plans to journey throughout Europe in 2025 together with her poker-playing accomplice, Callum Gordon.
Lydia Cugudda — Hippodrome Ambassador at Dwelling at Ladies’s Winter Competition
Lydia Cugudda says she’s all the time had an affinity for the Hippodrome.
“I had my largest dwell rating right here in 2013,” she stated. “It was heads-up towards Jake Cody in a UKIPT occasion!”
Now a Hippodrome Ambassador, Cugudda stated she couldn’t assist however smile as she mirrored on the unbelievable firm she’s stored on the tables.
“Whenever you sit down at a desk with the likes of Georgina James and Vanessa Kade, how are you going to not smile?” she stated. “I used to be nervous that the Excessive Curler is perhaps a bit extra severe, however even at this degree, the environment was nonetheless enjoyable and energetic.”
Although the poker didn’t go as deliberate, Cugudda had a blast. “The sport didn’t go how I wished, however I laughed so much. It’s all the time good to be in a aggressive but relaxed setting.”
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Lisa Thumm — A Newcomer with Poker in Her Blood
Lisa Thumm is a recent face within the poker world, having solely began taking part in a number of months in the past. However she already has a robust poker pedigree: her brother, Niclas Thumm, made a reputation for himself by reaching the ultimate desk of the 2023 PokerStars Gamers No Restrict Maintain’em Championship within the Bahamas, ending in a powerful sixth place.
I wish to encourage different girls to be assured and begin taking part in
Regardless of being comparatively new to the sport, Thumm has rapidly grow to be keen about poker.
“I’m positively getting increasingly into the sport,” she says. “I’m learning so much and getting extra expertise. I might like to see extra girls on the tables, and I wish to encourage different girls to be assured and begin taking part in.”
Thumm has already set her sights on numerous dwell stops, and he or she’s wanting to proceed constructing her poker profession, beginning on the Ladies’s Winter Competition.
“It has been an amazing expertise to this point. Effectively-organized, wonderful environment and nice help for ladies from PokerStars, simply making everybody really feel welcomed and empowered.”
Georgina “GJReggie” James — The Ambassador Who’s All In regards to the Enjoyable
Georgina James, identified by her poker nickname “GJReggie,” is thrilled to be a part of the Ladies’s Winter Competition, particularly due to the colourful, pleasant environment. “It’s so superior to stroll right into a poker site and see tables full of girls competing and having a good time,” she says. “It’s been actually energetic and chatty—like one huge residence sport.”
“Everybody’s so pleasant and welcoming, and I’m excited to be right here”
For James, the occasion is about extra than simply the competitors. It’s about connecting with previous mates and assembly new ones. “It’s been so good to meet up with mates I haven’t seen shortly and meet so many new folks,” she says. “Everybody’s so pleasant and welcoming, and I’m excited to be right here.”
Together with her sights set on the “stunning” Foremost Occasion trophy, James is able to give her finest effort and have enjoyable whereas doing so.