The landscape for women’s poker in Las Vegas has undergone a permanent, positive shift. What began as a grassroots effort to elevate the game for ladies has blossomed into a marquee, two-week celebration of ladies. For years, women’s tournaments were often relegated to the sidelines of the summer calendar; today, they command center stage with the LIPS Women in Poker Summer Festival hitting the most prestigious part of its calendar, starting with the $800 LIPS Ladies Championship kicking off today and followed by the highly anticipated $2,500 LIPS Ladies High Roller.

Two Decades of Advancing the Game

The Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) has been a cornerstone of the poker community for over 20 years. Founded in 2004, LIPS holds the distinction of being the first, longest-running, and most popular poker tour specifically for women. Since its inception, LIPS has been dedicated to growing the game by providing women with the space to learn, practice, and excel. Beyond the competition, LIPS has spent two decades building a lasting legacy of community, fostering bonds, and paving the way for women to gain the recognition and professional respect they deserve in the poker industry.

The Venetian: A Premier Poker Environment

The Venetian Poker Room is widely considered one of the most sophisticated venues in Las Vegas, making it the ideal host for this milestone festival. This partnership represents a significant marketing alignment for both LIPS and the Venetian, bringing together the longest-running women’s tour and one of the world’s most player-friendly poker rooms. Distinctively located off the main casino floor, the room creates a secluded, dedicated sanctuary designed with the player in mind. This intentional layout offers a professional, player-first experience:

  • A Dedicated Player Sanctuary: By positioning the room away from the hustle of the main floor, the Venetian provides a focused, quieter environment that minimizes distractions, allowing players to concentrate entirely on strategy and competition.

  • Elite Tournament Infrastructure: The room is renowned for its operational efficiency. From the precision of the floor staff to the advanced technology used for clock management, players are guaranteed a seamless experience from the first hand to the final table.

  • Operational Excellence: Under the guidance of Poker Room Manager Tommy LaRosa, the Venetian team has consistently demonstrated a commitment to high standards. Their expertise in managing large-field events ensures that the focus remains entirely on the competition, upholding the integrity of the game.

The High Roller: A Watershed Success

Last year’s inaugural $2,500 LIPS Ladies High Roller served as a landmark moment, proving the immense appetite for high-stakes women’s competition. The event shattered expectations, drawing 117 entries and creating a massive prize pool of $257,400—more than double the original $100,000 guarantee. The tournament was a massive success for visibility, recording over 40,000 livestream views on Day One alone. This year, the event continues to build on that historic foundation, offering a $150,000 guarantee, which represents a $50,000 increase over last year’s original guarantee.

The tournament attracted a star-studded field, including poker icons like Kathy Liebert and respected professionals such as Jacqueline Burkhart (who finished 3rd) and Monika Zukowicz.

The title was captured by Tirza Sanders, who navigated a grueling final table to earn $67,846. Her victory was a true Cinderella story: Sanders qualified for her seat through a satellite on the Bluffers Poker platform. Having successfully utilized that same pathway once again, she is back in Las Vegas to defend her title in this year’s high-stakes field.

Tirza Sanders

Still Time to Qualify

If you have your sights set on the $2,500 LIPS High Roller, there is still time to secure your seat.

A New Chapter for Women’s Poker

As this festival continues to break boundaries and set new records for participation and viewership, it stands as a testament to the strength and future of women in the sport. It is an incredibly exciting time to be part of this community, and we look forward to witnessing the next wave of history being made, ultimately seeing who will be crowned the champion next year.

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