PokerStars’ Women’s Winter Festival: A Step Towards Inclusivity in Poker

In an exciting recent announcement at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus, PokerStars unveiled a remarkable addition to its newly launched poker series—the Women’s Winter Festival. This innovative event is set to make its debut in London on November 21, 2024, and will feature the groundbreaking first-ever women-only £1,100 High Roller event. This initiative promises to foster inclusivity and create competitive opportunities for female players, marking a significant milestone in the poker community.

A Vision for Change

The Women’s Winter Festival traces its roots back to EPT Barcelona, where PokerStars first introduced the concept as a means to encourage greater participation of women in live poker environments. Their stated mission is not just to increase female representation but to alter the narrative surrounding women in poker—transforming the game into a welcoming space that celebrates female talent and fosters growth.

Kerryjane Craigie, the Hippodrome Director of Poker and PokerStars Ambassador, emphasized the importance of responding to community feedback. She stated, “The Women’s Winter Festival is all about elevating the game for women and women’s participation in poker. The addition of the High Roller provides our players with more variety and more games they want to access.” This sentiment is echoed by many female players eager to seize more high-stakes opportunities in a supportive environment.

The High Roller Tournament

The introduction of the £1,100 High Roller event is a major highlight of the festival. Designed to attract notable female players, the tournament not only aligns with PokerStars’ mission but also coincides with the £100,000 guaranteed Main Event. This combination ensures a robust lineup and encourages elite competition among participants.

Prominent players such as 2018 PCA Main Event winner Maria Lampropulos, PokerStars Ambassador Jen Shahade, and EPT Prague final tablist Marle Spragg are expected to participate. Spragg has expressed her enthusiasm for the event, commenting, “I’m really looking forward to playing the High Roller in London. Hopefully, this will be the first of many more events like this that make poker more welcoming to all players.”

Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars, highlighted the significance of the event, reinforcing that “It’s clear from talking to our players that women want more opportunities to play in high roller events, so this is a fantastic addition to the schedule that will make the Women’s Winter Festival a truly unmissable event.”

What’s on the Schedule?

The Women’s Winter Festival will feature a series of exciting tournaments:

• November 21:

  • £1,100 Women’s Winter Festival High Roller (12:00)
  • £400 Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 1a (13:00)
  • £40 Qualifier to Main Event (19:00)

• November 22:

  • £400 Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 1b (12:00)
  • £400 Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 1c (18:00)

• November 23:

  • £220 NLH 50/50 Freezeout (16:00) – Special rules require pairs of men and women to enter together.
• November 24:
  • Final Day of the Women’s Winter Festival Main Event (12:00)
  • £220 NLH – Single Re-Entry (13:00)
  • Women’s Closer Freeroll with a chance to win a package to EPT Prague (18:00)

The schedule is designed to cultivate an engaging and competitive atmosphere, alongside ensuring a sense of community among players.

Unique Tournament Formats

The 50/50 NLH Freezeout on November 23 stands out by incorporating a novel format aimed at fostering collaboration between male and female players. While the event does not involve tag-team mechanics, there will be added value in the form of rewards for the partnership that accumulates the most points during the tournament leaderboard. Such innovations emphasize PokerStars’ commitment to inclusivity and participation.

Additionally, the Women’s Closer Freeroll will offer a chance to win a women’s package to EPT Prague, valued at €1,600, which includes a buy-in for the Women’s Event and accommodation, further motivating participants to engage actively.

Pathways to Participation

Participants can qualify for the Women’s Winter Festival through various pathways. Women-only online satellites are available on PokerStars within the .COM market, and players in France, Spain, and Portugal can redeem a Power Path Silver Pass for a dedicated event package. Furthermore, live satellites in the U.S. will provide additional opportunities, as will a £40 buy-in registration fee-free live qualifier on November 21 at the Hippodrome, designed to offer five more entries to the Main Event.

Conclusion

The Women’s Winter Festival is more than just a poker tournament—it’s a movement toward inclusivity and recognition of the vital role women play in the world of poker. By creating spaces that allow women to compete at higher levels while receiving support and encouragement, PokerStars is taking substantial steps to enhance the playing field. As the festival approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a landmark event in the poker calendar.

With events like the Women’s Winter Festival, the future of poker is looking not only brighter but also more inclusive—encouraging women to claim their rightful place at the table.