After years of making significant contributions to the poker industry, women players are finally being honored for this role, with the opening of the Women’s Poker Hall of Fame.

Inauguration will take place at Binion’s Casino in Las Vegas on February 2nd, in a ceremony that will pay tribute to four of the industry’s most powerful women players.

The founder of the Ladies International Poker Series, Lupe Soto said: “It’s definitely time for the women in poker to have their own Hall of Fame to recognize their amazing contributions to the poker world”. 

As a result, the public has been invited to attend a star-studded event, with World Poker Tour personality Mike Sexton acting as Master of Ceremony, and industry leader, Jan Fischer delivering a keynote speech. No more than a few days ago the World Poker Tour ladies events were also announced.

In order to be inducted into the Women’s Poker Hall of Fame, players need to have been active in the industry at least fifteen years prior to have been elected. They also need to be an active proponent of women’s poker and need to have made a significant contribution to the poker industry in some way, whether as a major winner in main tournaments or otherwise. 

When choosing the first four honorees, the Board of Directors (consisting of personalities such as Karina Jett, Maureen Fudiniak and Suzanne Carter), there was no doubt that the following women fit all of the above criteria: Barbara Enright, Susie Isaacs, Linda Johnson and Marsha Waggoner.  

Enright was the first woman in history to sit at the final table of a World Series of Poker main event. In her overall poker career, the three time WSOP bracelet winner has raked in over $1-million in prize money, making her one of the most successful women players in the world.  

Linda Johnson, also a WSOP gold bracelet winner, is well known in the industry as announcer for the WSOP championship. Johnson, aka the“First Lady of Poker”, is extremely active in promoting poker, including the creation of the World Poker Industry Conference and Tournament Directors Association. 

Susie Isaacs is best known as the player who won the WSOP Ladies Championship for two consecutive years, while Australian Marsha Waggoner has played in over 19 WSOP events and has also made over $1-million in winnings during her poker career.   

Author:  Renee Kingsley