Women at the WSOP

Increasing Popularity of Poker Among Women

This year, the WSOP Main Event has seen a notable increase in female participants compared to previous years. The rising popularity of poker, fueled by television advertisements, has contributed to more women taking an interest in the game. In fact, every table at this year's Main Event featured at least one female player.

Leading Female Players at the WSOP

Several women have made significant strides in poker and are competing among the top players at the WSOP. Notable names include:

• Kathy Liebert: Kathy Liebert made an impressive appearance at the final table of the first event, finishing in third place and securing victories in four other events. With lifetime earnings of $4.8 million, Liebert has expressed her determination to win this year's WSOP Main Event.
• Kristy Gazes: Last year, Kristy Gazes achieved fifth place at the NBC Heads-Up Championship and is also a WPT Ladies Night Champion. She ranks 13th on the women’s all-time money list.
• JJ Liu: JJ Liu’s notable achievement was a second-place finish at the 2007 WPT Shooting Star. She recently earned her first cash at the 2008 WSOP. Liu has lifetime winnings of $1.7 million and was also a WPT Ladies Night Champion in the past.

Rising Star: Vanessa Selbst

One of the most talked-about players this year is Vanessa Selbst. Although relatively new to the WSOP scene, Selbst has already made a mark with her aggressive play style. At just 23 years old, she won her first gold bracelet in her third WSOP appearance and has demonstrated strong performance in heads-up matches online, which is one of her game’s strongest elements.

Conclusion: A New Era for Women in Poker

The number of prominent female poker players has tripled compared to last year, highlighting a significant shift in the poker landscape. As we await the results of the 2008 WSOP, it will be exciting to see if one of these talented women emerges victorious.