Women's Poker Spotlight: WSOP Academy Announces Third Ladies-only Event
The World Series of Poker Academy Ladies Event has announced its return to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on June 5-6, 2009. The ladies event is marking its third year teaching competitive poker from and for a women's perspective.
The WSOP Academy was launched in January of 2007 by Harrah's Operating Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. as an answer to the poker worlds' need for instruction by top players. Poker players in general grasp at any tidbit of knowledge top professionals in the game can offer whether it be through books, videos or internet websites. The Academy's offer of interpersonal contact, combined with hands-on instruction from professional players, behavioral experts and celebrated media, all under the banner of the most prestigious set of poker tournaments in the world, make it one of the most impressive learning experiences offered to novices and experienced players alike.
Due to the expanding number of women entering the poker arena and the awareness that many might be intimidated by a mixed experience, the WSOP Academy branched off to offer women the same knowledge base, but in a setting that was geared toward them and including some instruction relating primarily to the female demographic.
The WSOP Academy Ladies Event courseware was developed under the direction of poker professional Annie Duke. The two-time WSOP bracelet winner will be joined by BLUFF Magazine contributor and tells expert Joe Navarro and Alex "The Insider" Outhred. The Academy covers subjects included in preflop strategy, postflop strategy, tells, and being introduced this year, a just-for-women segment giving women clues on how to level the playing field. The event prepares women to play like pros whether they are looking to advance in women's-only events or take their career to the next level and be the next WSOP Main Event winner.
The truth lies in the results, and the participants of the Ladies Academy have already begun to reap the rewards. In 2007, immediately following the Academy, Cydnie Joy, Colette Ward, Sally Boyer, Dana Reutter and Michele Lewis all entered the WSOP Ladies Event and cashed, with Boyer capturing the title for a $262,077 payout.
In 2008 Patricia Till took third place and about $87,000 in the WSOP Ladies Event, Dana Reutter repeated her 2007 performance by cashing again, and Mary Jo Zogman went on to win the Heartland Poker Tour Player of the Year honors. "They say success breeds more success, and there is no better example of this than our World Series of Poker Academy Ladies Only Event," said Brandon Rosen of Post Oak Productions, the company that produces the WSOP Academy. "In just two years, our ladies-only event has helped turn novices into winning tournament players and in some cases, champions."
Besides offering the opportunity to learn from the best in the business, the WSOP Academy Ladies Only Event offers the opportunity to talk with some of the biggest names in poker and compete in a private tournament with the winner vying for a seat in the WSOP Main Event seat at the WSOP Tournament of Champions.
The WSOP Academy Ladies Event gives new meaning to the phrase "You play like a girl." Partakers of the event will be able to take their newly learned skills directly to the felt and play confidently and assertively with an ability to dominate the poker table. For further information on pricing and scheduling for the WSOP Academy Ladies Event and other WSOP Academy events visit www.wsopacademy.com
