The Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS_Tour), the world’s largest and longest-running poker tour for women, has officially partnered with the Asian Poker Tour (APT) to elevate and expand women’s poker events across Asia. The collaboration marks a new milestone in global women’s poker, uniting two powerhouse brands dedicated to inclusion, visibility, and opportunity for women at every level of the game.

A New Era for Women’s Poker

At every APT stop, women are taking over the felt with a dedicated ladies’ tournament held daily throughout the festival. It’s a first for any major international poker tour and a bold statement about how far women’s poker has come.

“No other tour has dedicated women’s events like the Asian Poker Tour,” said Lupe Soto, Founder and CEO of LIPS_Tour. “APT understands that visibility and access matter. The more women we see playing, the more we normalize women not just being present, but dominating.”

APT CEO Fred Leung echoed her enthusiasm, noting that the partnership feels natural.

“Poker is stronger when it’s inclusive,” said Leung. “Over the past three years, the ‘New Era’ of the APT has continually promoted women in poker. Our partnership with LIPS_Tour at the APT Championship only strengthens that commitment. We’re excited to keep creating spaces where female players can compete and shine.”

APT Championship Festival — Taipei, Taiwan | November 14–30, 2025

The upcoming APT Championship Festival in Taipei will be the largest in the tour’s history, with 17 days of nonstop poker featuring:

  • The APTC Main Event Freezeout – USD $5 Million GTD

  • Nineteen Championship Events

  • TWD 288 Million (approximately USD $8.7 Million) in total prize pool guarantees

Hosted at the stunning Red Point Business Center with the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP), the series will feature 18 exclusive women’s events, highlighted by the two-day APT x LIPS_Tour Women’s Championship, a TWD 35,000 (approximately USD $1,155) buy-in expected to draw some of the most talented female players in the world.

Lupe Soto: The Force Behind the Movement

Lupe Soto

To understand the significance of this partnership, it is helpful to know Lupe Soto — a name synonymous with women’s poker progress. She’s not only the founder of LIPS_Tour but also the visionary behind two cornerstone nonprofits: the Women in Poker Hall of Fame (WiPHoF) and the Women’s Poker Association (WPA).
Together, these organizations form the backbone of modern women’s poker, each serving a distinct but vital role:

  • LIPS_Tour gives women a place to play and build community.
  • WiPHoF honors the pioneers who paved the way.
  • Women’s Poker Association (WPA) empowers and advocates for the next generation of players.

Soto founded the WPA in 2017 but intentionally structured it to belong to the women it represents, not to her.

“I never wanted to own women’s poker,” she has said. “I wanted women to own it themselves.”

Under Soto’s leadership, women have gained not only more opportunities to play but also more influence in how the game and the industry are defined, represented, and remembered. Her work has helped transform women’s poker from a niche community into a global movement that continues to shape the future of the game.

Poker Without Borders

Whether your game is No-Limit Hold’em, PLO, Stud, Badugi, or mixed formats, the APT delivers a festival experience unlike any other, complete with multilingual staff, travel-friendly hospitality, and world-class poker action.

Starting in 2026, LIPS_Tour will introduce exclusive satellite opportunities for women to qualify for APT events, bringing even more players from around the world into this growing community.

“Our players aren’t just competitors — they’re trailblazers,” said Soto. “Through this partnership, women will be able to explore poker across continents, meet new communities, and prove that the game truly belongs to everyone.”

A Partnership Built on Progress

The LIPS_Tour x APT alliance represents more than a brand collaboration. It’s a global commitment to equality, representation, and the belief that poker is better when everyone has a seat at the table.

Women Poker News will be following this partnership closely as it unfolds, spotlighting the players, stories, and milestones that continue to move the game forward.

The APT Championship Festival runs November 14–30, 2025, in Taipei, Taiwan. It’s not too late to be part of the action — grab your passport, pack your chips, and join the movement.

View the full schedule and details: https://lipstour.com/2025/11/04/asian-poker-tour-lips/