Debbie Burkhead Wins Third LIPS Grand ChampionshipLadies International Poker Series Tour Hit Orleans Open this Weekend |
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The Ladies International Poker Series Tour held its third annual Grand Championship tournament this weekend at the Orleans Open in Las Vegas with great success.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with a championship dinner in which winners from this year's LIPS events came together for an exclusive reception. The next day, a warm up H.O.E. (hold'em, Omaha eight-or-better, seven-card stud eight-or-better) tournament took place.
On Sunday, 289 women entered the $330 buy-in no-limit hold'em ladies championship. The prize pool was $83,230, much of which was donated to Breast Cancer Angels. This is an organization that assists women without insurance suffering from breast cancer. Those who cashed were asked to donate 5 percent of their winnings.
One of the women who donated to the foundation was 25-year-old Pamela Bigelow.
"I appreciate the cause. I also think ladies tournaments are great because a lot of women who don't get a chance to play can do so. I personally like playing in open events but enjoy playing with just women as well," said Bigelow.
She won her trip to Las Vegas for the LIPS Grand Championship by winning a LIPS event at Canterbury Park Casino. She is one of the many LIPS champions who made the final table.
Before final table play began, the nine women decided to do a by-the-chips chop but reserved the trophy and $2,055 of the prize pool for first place. In the end, it was Debbie Burkhead who won. She is a long-time poker player from Las Vegas.
The LIPS Tour began in 2004 and has been gaining momentum ever since. It includes more than 40 partner casinos that host their events as well as numerous home leagues throughout the country.
"When it comes to women, they are really coming into their own. They are also still the fastest-growing demographic in poker. Whatever we can do to help women in this industry, we want to do it," said Lupe Soto, founder of LIPS. "Women are not only playing more, but they are beginning to win with significant success."
For more information on LIPS, click here.
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