The Women’s Poker Association (WPA) has proudly appointed experienced industry poker professional and accomplished player, Kerryjane Craigie as the new Vice President of its International Division.  For those that aren’t sure what the WPA does for women in poker and poker in general, let’s go back in history to where it all started, in Las Vegas with the infamous Lupe Soto, as its founder.

What is the WPA

Women’s Poker Association (WPA) –  is a global free membership-based, all-volunteer, professional 501c3 organization formed to promote, develop, and professionalize the advancement of women in poker by heightening the exposure of current women poker players while encouraging and developing new women players.  All women who play poker should become a member of this organization. Collectively, we have a voice in an industry where women are extremely underrepresented.

WPA is not a poker tour. WPA actively advocates for women in poker and supports those entities who create events and festivals for women by celebrating the success of women players by promoting women-only events, supplying promotional materials, and featuring the success of women in the game through our social media channels.

We bridge the gap between players and the industry by initiating conversations and avenues to elevate the experience of poker.  We seek opportunities to empower women through conferences, workshops, training, networking, and social events with a focus on community, education, and skill development.

WPA History

Poker associations aren’t a new concept and there are now various poker associations around the world catering to women, so what motivated Lupe to start one in a male-dominated game?  In 2011 whilst playing poker in Las Vegas Lupe saw the necessity to unite women and create a voice for them in a very heavily dominated male industry, at all levels.  Men dominated poker from the staff in the poker rooms to the players at the table by an astonishing 97%.  Latest figures and surveys put women in poker at around 95%, according to statistics from the World Series of Poker (WSOP).  Lupe believed the game could not grow without women and women needed a voice in the industry.  After several bumps in the road Lupe a well-known figure around the poker rooms due to her Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) approached her friends Catherine Alford and Julie Shozi with her concept and they decided to launch it as a nonprofit.  Lupe had experience in managing nonprofits with her background as a professional therapist and social services administrator.

Once the program was designed, Lupe pitched the WPA to women she knew were amazing and talented.  She was looking for leaders, visionaries, and volunteers who were dedicated to the growth of women in poker.  The first board of directors was formed and included:  Bonnie Carl (President), Peggy Carlson, Terry Constantino, Leslie Grodin, Liz Hagensick, Ruth Hall, Lynne Pohl, Susan Rhodes, Lori Smith (Treasurer), and Jana Von Dach (Secretary).

Lupe herself became president in 2019 – 2022 and during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic wanted to expand the WPA Internationally.  The WPA had grown exponentially by then boasting over 14,000 members worldwide and various successful programs.  It also quickly gained a reputation as a reliable resource for the poker industry regarding women’s poker.  In 2023 under the leadership of its current President Tara Smith, the international division was formed with Ivonne Montealegre appointed as its Vice President, based in Malta.  Ivonne a highly experienced poker tour operator, founder and director of The Malta Poker Festival,  The Costa Rica Poker Festival, and recently appointed Operations Manager of the SIGMA Poker Tour, launched the WPA international division at the 2023 Malta Poker Festival and appointed a board of talented international poker ladies.   One of those talented ladies was Kerryjane Craige, Director of Poker Operations at London’s Hippodrome Casino.

As the WPA programs and membership continue its global expansion, Ivonne has handed over the reins to the highly experienced industry professional Kerryjane.  After working with the WPA for over 5 years Ivonne’s term was coming to an end and she had the following statement:

It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to have worked with you all and together we have championed incredible initiatives and made strides for women in poker.  I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished.  I am confident in the smooth transition to Kerryjane, who will be stepping into my role.  She brings a wealth of passion and dedication and I know she will excel in leading the WPA forward. 

WPA CORE PROGRAMS

The WPA is currently focused on several programs that promote and advance women in poker.  All the ladies who run these programs and support these programs for the advancement of women in poker are volunteers.

Advocate Program

The Advocate Program assigns local advocates at poker rooms around the world who are a resource for all things women’s poker and representative of the association.  These advocates have donated an incredible amount of time and personal resources for years to help women all over the world in any way they can.

Raise It Up

The “Raise It Up” Movement is a global campaign geared towards elevating the player & staff experience in every poker room.  The WPA recommends poker rooms that have committed to #raiseitup.  That means that these rooms and their staff, have policies to create a positive and inviting atmosphere for all poker players.  These rooms make it a priority to elevate the game of poker and bring more women into the game.

Player of the Year

The Player of the Year program is a global competition that recognizes exceptional female poker players. Any “women-only tournaments” can be included on our Events List, and those with at least 40 participants and a minimum buy-in of $100 will qualify for the WPA POY Leaderboard in North America.  Every year a WPA POY is announced with the most recent being accomplished player Christina (Chris) Read.

Final Table Celebration  

The final table celebrations provide a final table trophy and gift bag for all Ladies Final Table events around the world.  They are designed to celebrate and elevate women poker players.

WPA PLANS FOR 2025

The WPA as a whole, plans to focus on the four core programs throughout 2025.

We recently caught up with Kerryjane and her plans for the international division.  Kerryjane is focused on expanding the ‘Raise it Up’ campaign through Europe in its poker rooms.  She is excited to add European Advocates and encourage volunteers to join in delivering initiatives in their local and develop a plan for the implementation of the highly popular final table celebrations.  Kerryjane wishes to spotlight and promote Women’s events,  this includes plans for regular online tutorials and sponsoring a player into a live event each quarter.

Kerryjane a PokerStars Ambassador has recently launched a monthly podcast from London titled, ‘The Real Poker Girls of London’ with co-host Lydia Cugudda, available on all podcast platforms and you can follow her on all socials.  There is no denying Kerryjane brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the association and will be a valuable asset to the WPA and all its members worldwide.  Watch This Space!

I am Humbled and Delighted to be given the opportunity to make a difference. The WPA has such a strong footprint in the US and I’m ready to work hard to bring it to the rest of the world. There is definitely a shift in Women’s poker and I’m excited to be a part of it. Watch this space! – Kerryjane Craigie

You can follow all things WPA on their active Facebook Page and Group:  Women’s Poker Association 

Women’s Poker Association website:  wpa.poker

The Real Poker Girls of London podcast:  The Real Poker Girls Media

Kerryjane Craigie Facebook:  Kerryjane Craigie