It is no secret that ladies solely symbolize a small fraction of the sector in most open World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) occasions, and an excellent smaller proportion of entries in excessive curler occasions.
However on Day 1 Sunday in Occasion #26: $25,000 Excessive Curler No-Restrict Maintain’em (8-Handed), the turnout was larger than regular, and one of many gamers within the discipline — Victoria Livschitz — tweeted out her enthusiasm.
Shortly after posting that tweet, the feminine illustration within the Excessive Curler reached seven out of 274 Day 1 entrants. To those that do not observe excessive stakes tournaments intently, that could be a few gamers larger than the traditional turnout, a constructive signal for individuals who help the expansion of girls in poker.
Girls within the Excessive Curler Chat with PokerNews
Livschitz was unable to discover a bag on Day 1, and the identical may be stated for writer Maria Konnikova and Rania Nasreddine. However there have been 4 ladies who superior to Day 2 — Maria Ho, Nadya Magnus, Min Zhang, and Kristen Foxen. PokerNews caught up with three of the gamers in that group to search out out their ideas on the excessive feminine turnout within the Excessive Curler.
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“These days we have seen a big enhance in ladies in poker and particularly ladies in excessive rollers. I am undecided what we will attribute it to. However I have been placing some work in, so has Victoria Livschitz. And I believe ladies are beginning to really feel extra snug,” Magnus stated.
Magnus, a former “Free Cannon” on the PokerStars Massive Sport and relentless promoter of girls in poker, continued to say that the $25k having such a big feminine turnout “exhibits to different ladies that it may be executed. It is not only a male-dominated sport or sport.”
Foxen, who has been competing in excessive curler occasions for a few years and is extensively thought-about the most effective feminine poker gamers ever, echoed these sentiments.
“It’s totally clear that, particularly with Victoria getting into the excessive curler scene, simply that the numbers are rising. You see that yearly. I believe that is the strongest feminine presence I’ve ever seen in a 25k, for positive,” Foxen stated.
“I’ve all the time wished to play excessive rollers to make poker extra welcoming for girls, and I believed my presence will try this. Simply by exhibiting up as this little, not very intimidating lady.” – Kristen Foxen.
Maria Ho Offers Her Two Cents
Ho, winner of the primary Poker After Darkish: Sport of Gold present, is not shocked with the excessive turnout.
“I believe it is greater than standard, however I would not say it is surprising given the pattern of how extra ladies are entering into poker and are extra aggressive than ever,” she argued. “I simply suppose ladies are getting higher, and those which can be taking part in larger stakes are persevering with to maneuver up as they get huge scores.”
With over $5.3 million in stay event cashes, in response to The Hendon Mob, Ho isn’t any stranger to huge scores and enormous buy-in occasions. The $25k Excessive Curler has over $6.4 million within the pot previous to Day 2, which begins at midday PT, with registration nonetheless open.
“There are numerous leisure ladies out right here for the WSOP, and I can not even let you know what number of have stated how motivating and inspirational it’s seeing me or one other feminine professional make deep runs,” Ho stated.
If Ho have been to make a deep run on this occasion, she’d lock up the largest win of her profession. And, as she stated, it might encourage extra ladies to present these excessive rollers a shot.
Comply with the 4 Remaining Girls within the $25k Excessive Curler at PokerNews
Managing Editor
Based mostly in the UK, Will began working for PokerNews as a contract stay reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time employees in 2019.
He graduated from the College of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He additionally holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports activities Journalism.
