The WSOP 2024 has kicked off in Vegas and its only day 2 with record numbers in attendance.  With the increasing number of women playing at the WSOP let’s take a look at some standouts to watch this year.

I’ll start off with my Vegas home girls Jeannie David, Rebbecca Scales, Karina Jett and Kathy Chang, just to name a few.  Jeannie David has already final tabled the Razz WSOP $1500 bracelet event back in 2018, so what’s changed for Jeanne since then?  Jeanne has hired a coach who happens to be a killer mixed games pro Frankie O’Dell holding 3 WSOP bracelets in Omaha Hi-Lo and 5 WSOP circuit rings.  Jeanne talked about the importance of finding a coach you can work with to constantly evolve your game on the Real Poker Girls of Las Vegas podcast.

Jeanne has been playing consistently and showing up on many mixed games final tables.  Jeannie was in Malta with me in April this year only days after having heart surgery.  If that doesn’t show commitment to the game, I don’t know what else would.  Jeanne was in Malta as the host of the HORSE tournament at the Malta Poker Festival (MPF).   I can’t tell you how much fun we all had there with the European players.   Unfortunately I busted out first which is so shameful but that’s why I need to get back to Vegas and join the now infamous Las Vegas Horse League that Jeannie and Holly run, which produces outstanding poker players every year.

Speaking of the Las Vegas Horse League brings me to my favourite USA poker girl Rebbecca Scales.  Rebbecca has been quietly grinding away in Las Vegas on the circuits preparing for the WSOP.  She has had a few cashes and final tables in HORSE tournaments for the last couple of years around Vegas.   Rebbecca is also a Poker Power instructor, so she is no stranger to NLH either.  I’m looking forward to seeing her results this summer and can’t wait to rail her on a crazy HORSE final table somewhere.

Another Vegas notable is Karina Jett.  Karina is no stranger to women in poker. She has some substantial cashes including being heads up for a bracelet in the 2011 Ladies Championship. Karina is also in the Las Vegas Horse League with Jeannie and Rebbecca and is well known around town as a killer poker player. Karina owns a real estate agency so if you make a big cash and want to buy a piece of Vegas don’t forget to look her up at Coldwell Banker Premier Realty.

Kathy Chang residing in Los Angeles is a common sight on the Vegas poker scene.  Kathy has been on a absolute tear, final tabling 90% of her tournaments.  Kathy is well known on the Mixed Games circuit and can be found at all buy-in levels.  Kathy just won a WSOP circuit ring this month in the $600 HORSE  tournament at the Commerce Casino LA.  Kathy sells action on Poker Stake so if you are looking for a good horse to back this summer she’s your gal.

On our Malta trip to the MPF we were fortunate to be able to hang out with the always amazing, fun and crazy British ladies.  There are so many powerhouse ladies from the UK, I don’t even know where to start.  Let’s start with Kerryjane Craigie aka KJ.  KJ is the Director of Poker at the PokerStars’ poker room at London’s Hippodrome Casino, so she’s a big deal on the UK poker scene and a notable player herself.  KJ is also in charge of the WPA International board, Raise It Up campaign.   KJ is bringing out a team of players that have qualified playing at the Hippodrome that include some notable ladies.  KJ herself has an impressive poker resume playing heads up for a bracelet in the Casino Employees event in 2016 and last year won the ladies event at the UK& Ireland poker tour.

I had the pleasure of playing next to one of these killer ladies Karen Arthur at the MPF ladies’ event and I can tell you she put me to the test.  Another lady flying to Vegas this year from the UK is Lydia Cugudda.  Lydia Cugudda final tabled the Ladies First Event at the MPF and won the London Women’s Championship at the London Poker Festival earlier this year.

Something else to mention is ladies week this year.  There are tournaments all over Vegas with one of my favourites being the Ladies NLH Warm Up event on June 25 at 6pm in the WSOP, which usually generates a huge field with lots of crazy action for a easy $150 buy in.  Let’s not forget all the LIPS tournaments with the beautiful 20 year anniversary trophies up for grabs this year ran by women in poker Hall of Famer Lupe Soto.

On the morning of the ladies’ event June 28th the Woman’s Poker Association (WPA) holds a morning breakfast at 10:00 AM at the Paris.  Keep an eye out on their Facebook page to secure your spot.  It always sells out and is a fun morning where I’ve made lifelong friends from all around the world.

I will be personally grinding the cash games around town which are just as juicy as the tournaments. I will also be playing lots of Omaha tournaments with my bestie Rebbecca at the Golden Nugget as we always seem to do well there and it’s close to the amazing Stadium Swim at the Circa which is a must visit this summer.  I also hear that the Golden Nugget has some new trophies.  I wonder if it’s a new improved yellow piggy? #piggygate

If you see us around town don’t be shy to come and say hello. I’ll have some Crown Casino Melbourne poker chips and some Aussie key chains to give you guys. I’ll also be looking for interesting stories from ladies at the WSOP. So if you know of a really cool story like your friend wins a bracelet, you gambled your child’s inheritance on the Main Event and ran deep or you meet the love of your life!  Come and find me because I’d love to write about it.

On that note I’d like to wish each and every one of you the very best summer possible and as my good friend Robert Mizrachi said to me this morning: “All we can do is our best!” Good luck ladies.  Viva Las Vegas!