A Pioneering Event: The Women’s Winter Festival at the Hippodrome
In an exciting moment for poker enthusiasts, PokerStars announced its first-ever women-only £1,100 High Roller event as part of the Women’s Winter Festival, set to debut in London this November. The announcement came during the recent EPT Cyprus and underlines PokerStars’ commitment to fostering female participation in the poker community. Scheduled for November 21, the festival promises to provide a platform for aspiring women players to indulge in high-stakes poker while competing against their peers.
A Vision for Inclusivity
The Women’s Winter Festival concept was first introduced at EPT Barcelona in September, where PokerStars expressed a vision of “encouraging women to participate in live poker games with aspirational outcomes.” This initiative aligns with the brand’s goal of creating exclusive, competitive opportunities that empower female players and change the narrative around women in poker. The addition of the £1,100 High Roller is a direct response to feedback from women in the community, reflecting a growing demand for more elevated gameplay experiences in a supportive environment.
Kerryjane Craigie, Director of Poker at the Hippodrome and PokerStars Ambassador, emphasized the festival’s goal: “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.”
The High Roller: A Game Changer
The anticipated £1,100 High Roller tournament is expected to attract noteworthy female poker players, including past champions such as Maria Lampropulos, who won the 2018 PCA Main Event, and fellow PokerStars Ambassador Jen Shahade. Marle Spragg, an EPT Prague final tablist, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “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, echoed this sentiment, saying, “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.”
A Comprehensive Schedule
The Women’s Winter Festival is more than just a High Roller. The festival includes various events designed to cater to a wide range of players. Alongside the women-only Main Event and High Roller, the festival schedule will feature:
- November 23: A £220 NLH 50/50 Freezeout, where pairs of men and women must enter together, promoting camaraderie and partnership among players.
- November 24: An open £220 NHL Single Re-Entry tournament and a Women’s Closer Freeroll, with the champion receiving a coveted women’s package to EPT Prague, valued at €1,600.
This robust schedule is designed to provide ample opportunities for women to participate in competitive gameplay, all while ensuring a balanced and inclusive environment.
Event Schedule Highlights
| Date | Buy-in | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | £1,100 | 12:00 | Women’s Winter Festival High Roller |
| Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | £400 | 13:00 | Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 1a |
| Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | £40 | 19:00 | Qualifier to Main Event |
| Fri, Nov 22, 2024 | £400 | 12:00 | Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 1b |
| Fri, Nov 22, 2024 | £400 | 18:00 | Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 1c |
| Sat, Nov 23, 2024 | – | 12:00 | Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Day 2 |
| Sat, Nov 23, 2024 | £220 | 16:00 | NLH 50/50 Freezeout (Capped at 81 pairs) |
| Sun, Nov 24, 2024 | – | 12:00 | Women’s Winter Festival Main Event Final Day |
| Sun, Nov 24, 2024 | £220 | 13:00 | NLH – Single Re-Entry |
| Sun, Nov 24, 2024 | – | 18:00 | Women’s Closer Freeroll – EPT Prague Women’s Event Package added |
Creating Pathways to Participation
PokerStars is committed to making this event accessible through various qualifying paths. Women-only online satellites are set for players in the .COM market, while those in France, Spain, and Portugal have the chance to redeem a Power Path Silver Pass. Additional live satellites will be held in the United States, with a £40 buy-in live qualifier at the Hippodrome on November 21, providing even more players the opportunity to compete.
Conclusion
The Women’s Winter Festival at the Hippodrome is more than just an event; it’s a movement towards inclusivity and recognition of women’s contributions to poker. By offering an array of events that cater specifically to female players, PokerStars is actively working to create a supportive environment that encourages all players to embrace the game at higher levels. As the poker community evolves, events like the Women’s Winter Festival play a crucial role in reshaping the narrative around women in poker, making it more welcoming for generations to come.
