Following a string of record-breaking turnouts across Europe, PokerStars Ambassador Kerryjane Craigie returns with a comprehensive look at the growing momentum in women’s poker. Highlighting successful stops at The Hippodrome Casino, Malta, and Aix-en-Provence, Craigie highlights how dedicated training, inclusive environments, and strong community ties are translating into tangible progress on and off the felt.
The past few weeks have been such a whirlwind; it’s hard to know where to begin! There’s so much to tell you, and I have to say, writing this particular blog has been an absolute joy.
When I look back at everything that has happened, one thing stands out above all else. We are making a difference. A real, tangible difference, and I coud not be more delighted.
Three Days of Magic at The Hippodrome
There are moments in your career that stay with you. Moments when you look around a room and realise that something rather special is happening. The Hippodrome’s Ladies Weekend was one of those moments.
Three extraordinary days. An incredible gathering of women. And an atmosphere that, quite frankly, I don’t think words can adequately describe. But I’ll give it a go!
We kicked things off on Friday with our ladies-only streamed cash game. What a way to start the weekend! If you missed the action live, you can catch up on all the entertainment here.
“Magic” at the Training Camp
Saturday brought our much-anticipated training camp where fifty women, all eager to learn, came together for a day of education, inspiration, and shared enthusiasm to help improve and develop their understanding of the game.
And what a line-up we had.
Jennifer Shahade encouraged us to think sideways and challenge the conventional way we approach the game. Marle Spragg shared her insights into how we should approach hands and the decisions we make at the table. Maria Ho generously answered questions put directly to her, offering the kind of wisdom and experience that you simply cannot put a price on.
And Victoria Livschitz introduced something that I am particularly excited about: our new collaboration with Octopi Poker, creating a dedicated training platform for women.
There was something almost electric about the atmosphere in the room. An energy, an enthusiasm, a genuine sense of belonging that was impossible to ignore. It was palpable.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some wonderful moments throughout my career, but I know, without hesitation, that this will remain one of my favourites”
Women sharing ideas, asking questions, encouraging one another, and recognising that they were part of something bigger than simply a poker training session.
I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some wonderful moments throughout my career, but I know, without hesitation, that this will remain one of my favourites.
We rounded off Saturday with a fabulous dinner and a couple of sit-and-go tables, which awarded four seats into Sunday’s tournament.
The Hippodrome Ladies Classic Is Born
The inaugural Hippodrome Ladies Classic attracted an incredible 106 entries.
For a standalone, one-day women’s event outside of a festival, we believe that may well be a new record. And what a way to launch something that I hope becomes a permanent fixture in the poker calendar.
Angela Rogan emerged victorious, lifting our beautiful trophy and earning her place in the history of the very first Ladies Classic.
To every woman who played, attended, supported, encouraged, travelled, learned, laughed, or simply showed up: thank you. You made that weekend what it was.
And it cemented what I always think in these environments and it was displayed in these three days: when we create the right environment, give women the opportunity and make them feel genuinely welcome, remarkable things happen. I could not have been prouder.
Malta — Another Record, Another Reason to Celebrate!
There was barely time to catch my breath before I was off to Malta for the Malta Poker Festival. And, naturally, we weren’t going to let the record-breaking stop in London!
I had the pleasure of hosting the Ladies First tournament, which we understand to have broken the record as the largest women’s tournament field in Malta’s history at 155 entries — how fantastic is that?
What was equally encouraging was seeing the number of women playing across the other events. Not just in the ladies’ tournament, but throughout the festival. That matters enormously to me.
Of course, I did manage to squeeze in some poker of my own. I came close to the money in one event and even found myself as the last woman standing in another. Sadly, I couldn’t quite hang on and convert either opportunity into a result. But that’s poker and a part of the mindset we have to learn to adapt to. Sigh. No flag for me in Malta this year!
But as always, the Malta Poker Festival delivered that wonderful combination of poker, friendship, sunshine, and fun. And sometimes, that’s a pretty fabulous result in itself.
Aix-en-Provence: A Final Table and Another Lesson Learned
With just enough time to swap the contents of one suitcase for another, I was off again, this time to the PokerStars Open in Aix-en-Provence. And what a beautiful city!
If you have never visited, I would thoroughly recommend adding it to your list. A lovely destination and a wonderful setting for a poker trip.
We began with the women’s event, and this time I managed to navigate my way to the final table, eventually finishing in a respectable sixth place. The soft bubble. Again, so close to the money spots and naturally, I would have loved to have gone further. Who doesn’t?
I always say that every poker session has the potential to become a study session, and something I’ve come to appreciate more and more is that every tournament, every table and every difficult decision offers us an opportunity to learn.
There is something to take away from every experience, whether it’s a hand we played brilliantly, a decision we questioned afterwards or a situation we simply weren’t quite sure how to navigate.
The important thing is recognising those opportunities and doing something with them.
Next Stop — EPT Prague!
And just when you thought I might be putting my suitcase away for a while…not a chance!
Next up for me is EPT Prague with PokerStars, and I’m particularly looking forward to the women’s event on Sunday 6th December.
Prague is such a wonderful city at this time of year. The Christmas atmosphere, the beautiful surroundings and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy some fantastic poker.
This will be the final EPT Women’s event of 2026, and I can’t think of a better way to round off what has already been an extraordinary year.
There’s already a lovely group of women making the trip, and I’d like to extend a personal invitation to anyone thinking about joining us. Whether you’re a familiar face or attending your first women’s event, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
And who knows, perhaps we’ve got one more record left in us before the year is out!
Wouldn’t that be something?
Kerryjane Craigie