Home / Poker News July 2013 / 2013 WSOP – Ladies’ Event Discount Scheme a Great Success
2013 WSOP – Ladies’ Event Discount Scheme a Great Success
Posted by: Jo Martin - Thu, 2013-07-11 04:44
It became obvious as soon as the registration wrapped up that this year’s Ladies Event would be a resounding success at the
2013 WSOP. Indeed, out of the total of 954 players who registered, there wasn’t a single male entrant unlike in past editions of the same event. First launched in 1977, when it was introduced as a Seven-Card Stud event featuring a buy-in of $100, the ladies’ event has degenerated into a rather tasteless free for all in recent years, with various male players dressing up as women and taking part in the event for the kicks or for the extra value generated by the perceived weakness of the starting field.
This year, the rules were changed, and a formula was finally found that would keep male players away from the ladies’ tables without actually forbidding them outright to participate.
When the schedule for this year’s Series was released back in January, it became obvious that the Ladies’ event would feature a massive $10k buy-in this time. It turned out though that while anyone would be allowed to buy in, only women would benefit from a 90% discount, which meant that women would basically be allowed in for the usual $1k. That move certainly rattled all those men who entertained thoughts of playing in the ladies event again for the “value” and thus finally, for the first time in years, a true ladies-only event was played.
Kristen Bicknell was the one who walked away with the bracelet and the $173.9k top prize, after she bested Leanne Haas heads-up.
The problems with men playing in the Ladies’ event became acute in 2011, when Jonathan Epstein’s presence at the final table of the tournament raised the uncomfortable possibility of a man going trough and winning the ladies’ event.
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