Celebrating the achievements of women in the gaming industry, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has declared that tomorrow is “Women In Poker Hall of Fame Day” throughout Las Vegas in coordination with the inductions of new members into the Hall.
In the declaration, Mayor Goodman asks for, “All Las Vegas citizens to acknowledge the contributions made by women in the gaming industry.” The declaration is just one part of what should be an exciting weekend to celebrate the new inductees – June Field, Jan Fisher and Cyndy Violette – and poker-playing women overall.
Tonight the weekend long celebration kicks off with a charity poker tournament to benefit Poker Gives. Emceed by poker professional and World Poker Tour announcer Mike Sexton, the “Shuffle Up for Poker Gives” charity tournament starts at 7PM (Pacific Time) at the Golden Nugget. The tournament should draw many poker players and other VIPs to raise money for the various charities that Poker Gives supports, such as The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Special Olympics.
Half of the tournament’s prize pool will be pulled for the charities and the final ten players at the final table will receive the other half. The winner of the tournament will also take home a seat at the 2010 WPT Invitational, held during the L. A. Poker Classic. All participants will receive a commemorative gift for their participation in the event.
On Friday at 6PM, the celebration of women in poker and the gaming industry kicks into full speed with the induction of Field, Fisher and Violette into the Hall. The “Women in Poker Hall of Fame” dinner and dance will celebrate the career accomplishments of the three new inductees at the Golden Nugget. Mike Sexton will once again take on the duties of Master of Ceremonies and there are several special events planned for the evening.
The night starts with a red carpet walk featuring industry VIPs and professional poker players. The event is open to the public and will take place inside the Golden Nugget Casino’s Augusta/Pebble Beach ballroom. Guests will enjoy an epicurean feast, no-host cocktails, music, and a silent auction sponsored by The Autograph Guys and local merchants. General admission is $90 at the door and all money raised will be donated to Poker Gives.
In addition to the inductions ceremonies, the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) will hold a satellite to their LIPS Championship Event in August. The $175 buy in tournament is scheduled to play at 2PM on Saturday and will put the winner into the LIPS Championship event, with any money beyond the buy in for that event awarded to the winner. On Sunday, the World Series of Poker will hold the Ladies’ Championship and should be a focal point of all members of the Women In Poker Hall of Fame honorees.
Field, Fisher and Violette join a very impressive list of members in the Women In Poker Hall of Fame. Players inducted last year when the Hall was created include three time WSOP bracelet winner Barbara Enright and fellow poker pioneers Susie Isaacs, Linda Johnson and Marsha Waggoner. Poker News Daily wishes to pass along congratulations to the newest inductees into the Women In Poker Hall of Fame.