Ladies Professional Poker Tour LaunchesSign-up for Free Membership and Become Eligible for Drawing |
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The Ladies Poker Association is giving away a free seat to one of its members for the first stop on the Ladies Professional Poker Tour. The LPPT is the first series of professional poker tournaments for women.
The seat is for the $560 buy-in to the ladies event in the Winnin o' the Green poker series at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Ladies can register for a free membership to the LPA on the website and become eligible for the drawing.
Crystal Osgood-Gray, founder and President of the LPA, is winner of the 2006 Los Angeles Poker Classic ladies event. The lack of recognition she received from her first-place finish prompted her to find out how other women felt about their place in the poker world.
She found that many women feel "lost" in the crowd. Although the fastest growing demographic in the gaming industry is the percentage of women playing in live tournaments, they still make up only 6 percent of the field in mixed events. This makes it highly unlikely that a woman will reach a final table.
In addition, ladies event buy-ins have traditionally been less than $500, which is not sufficient to qualify for official rankings. IFor women to get noticed, a point system is needed that can put women on the same par as men Osgood-Gray said.
Many women players also expressed interest in the opportunity to play in higher-buy-in ladies exclusive events.
The LPPT is looking to accommodate both these needs. The tour will consist of tournaments with a $500-plus buy-in to build bigger prize pools and feature high levels of play. The LPPT will be adding around six events this year, and is scheduled to sponsor the Legends of Poker ladies event in August.
These tournaments will also contribute to a professional ranking system designed to recognize women, established by the LPA. The rankings will include all ladies-only events with a $500 or more buy-in.
The LPA's website includes an online magazine and features news, interviews with top women pros, amateur spotlights, upcoming tournament information, event coverage, and poker strategy articles from a woman's prospective. Promoting the interests and accomplishments of women in the game is part of the mission statement.
Linda Johnson, former publisher of Card Player, World Poker Tour announcer, and Card Player contributor, is a member of the advisory board that contributes to the focus and direction of the LPA. Other notable women in the poker community are also members, including Card Player writer Jan Fisher, Kelly O'hara, Cheri Dokken, and Star McCormick.
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