Up and Down: Women Hitting the Headlines

Ema Zajmovic makes World Poker Tour history at WPT playground

Having come into the championship event of WPT Playground as a Partypoker qualifier, Ema Zajmovic was probably not one of the favourites going into the event, but the Candian had a little more bite than many realised.

With no female player ever having won an open event at the WPT before, some will have recognised her as the 5thplace finisher at WPT Montreal’s Main Event in November. She reportedly impressed other players, including eventual winner Mike Sexton during that tournament, and has now truly caught the entire poker world’s attention.

Zajmovic put in another stellar performance at the WPT tables just a few months after the last one, and has taken down the WPT Playground event to become the first female player in history to win an open WPT event.

The 380 players in the event generated a prize pool of almost USD$900,000 with Zajmovic claiming over USD$183,000 for her first place finish. This cash, which is by far her biggest ever, takes her total live cashes to over $283,000.

Loni Harwood wins third WSOP circuit ring

Loni Harwood is another female player who has been grabbing headlines this week, as she picked up her third career WSOP circuit ring. This is in addition to the WSOP bracelet she already owns, in what is quickly becoming an impressive career. The American pro bested a field of 1,117 players in the $365 rebuy event to win the USD$61,156 1stprize.

Former ‘Loose Cannon’ Nadya Magnus wins WSOPC High Roller

In yet another female triumph this week, Nadya Magnus, who once appeared on the ‘Pokerstars Big Game’ has won the WSOPC High Roller in Milwaukee. She overcame a field of 119 players in the USD$2,200 buy in event, to take home USD$71,398 and her second WSOP circuit ring. This brings her total live cashes up to USD$253,728 and completes what has been a fabulous week for female poker players.

Article by Craig Bradshaw