London is to host the World's first ever women's only poker tour final on Saturday March 18th – 22nd 2006. The final of the ‘Women's Poker Tour' will see thirty six of the world's finest female poker players, including Coronation Street and Holby City star Tina Hobley and Stephanie Beacham facing-off for the grand prize of $40,000, the exclusive 888.com diamond and the coveted title of the ‘Queen of Diamonds'.
The contest marks the culmination of three months of qualifying rounds staged across the world, from as far and wide as the USA and Denmark. The Tour final, where the players will compete for a total prize fund of $108,000, is to be staged at the famous ‘Poker Den' in East London, with the entire tournament being screened on Challenge TV from April 3 rd .
Traditionally a game dominated by men, the recent explosion in the popularity of on-line poker has seen an increasing number of women entering the high profile tournaments – and winning. This, combined with the likes of the celebrity exposure of the poker playing Desperate Housewives, heralds an explosion in women's poker.
Women's Poker Tour finalist Tina Hobley is one of the many women bitten by the poker bug;
“I've been playing poker for quite a while now and think that it's high time that women were recognised for the great poker players that we are. Playing poker is all about the mind, there's all kinds of research that shows that women are more intelligent – it makes sense that we are better at poker!”
888.com are supporting the 2006 Finale of the “Women Poker UK Open”, says 888.com UK Head of Marketing Matt Robinson.
“The concept of the Women's Poker Tour is entirely new to the world poker scene and when we heard about it we jumped at the chance to support it. Women are every bit as good as the guys on the card table and the quality of the games on this tour just proves it – it's only a matter of time before we have a female world champion”
Filming for this $3,000 buy-in event takes place from March 18 th – 22 nd and will be broadcast on Challenge from April 4 th . With 40k up for grabs, don't be surprised to see a certain beagle in a wig making an appearance. All hush hush though.
Blondeites will have a running interest in this event with Chili Pepper's ( Maria Demetriou ) participation. We are all very excited for this young lady who shall soon be taking on the giantsesses of the Ladies game. I for one am confident that she will come out smelling of roses as she's a cracking little player. Go fella!
Watch out folks, the exotically named Torneo di Poker is heading our way. Well, heading towards Slovenia anyhow. This alluring festival commences on Monday April 24th, climaxing on the Sunday which will see the final table of the €1,000 Main Event.