In an announcement during EPT Cyprus, PokerStars revealed a groundbreaking addition to its brand new poker series, the Women’s Winter Festival. Set to debut in London this November, the festival will feature the brand’s first-ever women-only £1,100 High Roller event, kicking off on November 21 at The Hippodrome.
This Women’s Winter Festival was first introduced back in September at EPT Barcelona, where PokerStars outlined its vision to "encourage women to participate in live poker games with aspirational outcomes." Now, with the addition of the £1,100 High Roller, the Spadie brand continues its push to create more exclusive, competitive opportunities for female players.
The festival, designed by Hippodrome Director of Poker and PokerStars Ambassador Kerryjane Craigie, responds to feedback from women within the poker community. Its goal is to change the narrative around women in poker, offering more avenues for women to engage at higher levels of play, all within a supportive yet competitive environment.
“The Women’s Winter Festival is all about elevating the game for women and women’s participation in poker," said Craigie. "The addition of the High Roller provides our players with more variety and more games they want to access.”
The High Roller tournament aligns with PokerStars’ mission to increase opportunities for women in poker, complementing the £100,000 guaranteed Main Event. The £1,100 High Roller is expected to attract notable female players, including 2018 PCA Main Event winner Maria Lampropulos, PokerStars Ambassador Jen Shahade, and EPT Prague final tablist Marle Spragg.
Spragg shared her excitement to PokerStars, saying: "I’m really looking forward to playing the High Roller in London. Hopefully this will be the first of many more events like this that make poker more welcoming to all players.”
Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars, highlighted the significance of this event, stating: “It’s clear from talking to our players that women want more opportunities to play in high roller events, so this is a fantastic addition to the schedule that will make the Women’s Winter Festival a truly unmissable event.”
Why the Women’s Winter Festival Embraces Inclusivity and Challenges Poker Norms
In addition to the women-only Main Event and High Roller, the festival will feature a 50/50 NLH Freezeout on November 23. This £220 one-day tournament ensures an equal playing field by requiring pairs of men and women to enter together.
While the event is not a tag team format, added value will be awarded to the partnership that accumulates the most points on the tournament leaderboard. Players are encouraged to secure their partners early, with the Hippodrome offering assistance in finding a suitable match from a pool of interested players.
The festival’s schedule also includes an open £220 NHL Single Re-Entry tournament on November 24 and a Women’s Closer Freeroll. The champion will receive a women’s package to EPT Prague, with additional prizes for those making the final table.
The Women's EPT Prague package is valued at €1,600 and includes:
| Date | Buy-in | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | £1,100 | 12:00 | Women's Winter Festival High Roller |
| Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | £400 | 13:00 | Women's Winter Festival Main Event Day 1a |
| Thu, Nov 21, 2024 | £40 | 19:00 | Qualifier to Main Event |
| Fri, Nov 22, 2024 | £400 | 12:00 | Women's Winter Festival Main Event Day 1b |
| Fri, Nov 22, 2024 | £400 | 18:00 | Women's Winter Festival Main Event Day 1c |
| Sat, Nov 23, 2024 | - | 12:00 | Women's Winter Festival Main Event Day 2 |
| Sat, Nov 23, 2024 | £220 | 16:00 | NLH 50/50 Freezeout (Capped at 81 pairs) |
| Sun, Nov 24, 2024 | - | 12:00 | Women's Winter Festival Main Event Final Day |
| Sun, Nov 24, 2024 | £220 | 13:00 | NLH - Single Re-Entry |
| Sun, Nov 24, 2024 | - | 18:00 | Women's Closer Freeroll - EPT Prague Women's Event Package added |
Women-only online satellites are available on PokerStars for players in the .COM market. Additionally, players in France, Spain, and Portugal can redeem a Power Path Silver Pass for a dedicated event package. PokerStars will also host live satellites in the United States and a £40 buy-in registration fee-free live qualifier at the Hippodrome on Thursday, November 21, offering five additional seats to the Main Event.
