PokerStars has been one of the most vocal advocates for women in poker, and in recent years, the operator has put forth significant efforts to attract more ladies to the felt and create a more enjoyable environment for those who are already a part of the poker world.
Last year, PokerStars set up a Women’s Bootcamp, offering new players an opportunity to be mentored by experienced players, with the Bootcamp winner treated to a full package to the 2023 EPT Prague Main Event.
The operator has continued these efforts in 2024 through many initiatives, including the upcoming Women’s Winter Festival in London. Taking place November 21 — 24 inside the Hippodrome Casino, the event is a championed by Kerryjane Craigie, a PokerStars ambassador and a fierce fighter for women in poker.
In light of all these events and with the Women’s Winter Festival just around the corner, pokerfuse caught up with Kerryjane Craige and two other PokerStars ambassadors, Marle Spragg and Jen Shahade, to talk about their beginnings in the poker world, their experiences over the years, and their aspirations moving forward.
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How did you get started in poker?
Marle: I got started in poker by playing with family at holidays growing up. My dad later played full-time, and I eventually moved to Vegas and quit my job to do the same!
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Jen: My brother Greg Shahade was one of the very first players on PokerStars. Soon after I graduated NYU, he taught me poker and I immediately was drawn to it.
I didn’t get super into it right away, but just dabbled for a number of years. It was only many years later, when I was introduced to some of PokerStars’ Live stops, as well as the thrill of the Sunday Million, that I started to take the game far more seriously.
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KJ: I was living in the US and not permitted to work. My partner travelled for work, and I was left home alone. I stumbled across PokerStars online, true story! I started playing for free money, then 1c and 10c tournaments and progressed from there. That was 17 years ago!
When I moved back to the UK, I continued online, moved to live tournament play through pub leagues and played my first real live event at EPT London 2009 in the Ladies event.
What is the most important aspect of the Women in Poker movement to you personally?
Marle: The most important part of getting women into the game is creating a welcome environment and getting all people on board for making it an enjoyable experience.
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Jen: To have a positive depiction of women in the game, and make sure women are given as many chances to succeed and be happy in the game as possible.
As luck would have it, many of the very best ambassadors of poker are women. You only have to look at PokerStars own Maria Konnikova, or EPT commentator and Women in Poker HOFer Maria Ho, to find two great examples of heroes in the game that have also crossed into the mainstream.
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KJ: Making a Difference. I’m passionate about the game and I want more women to be given the opportunity to love it too. I want to help erase whatever barriers there are to introducing more women to the game and to elevate their experience.
Firstly- It’s about dedicating time to listening to what we can do, and opening doors to the game to suit all levels. Critically, it’s ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable environment to play in is on offer, without bias of any kind.
It’s not easy being a minority and walking into a room full of the opposite gender. We make up 3% of most fields and that can be daunting.
What is one realistic and one aspirational achievement around the Women in Poker movement that you hope comes to fruition in 2025?
Marle: A realistic 2025 goal for women in poker would be to see a 2% increase in live female attendance, a aspirational one would be to have a high roller (5k buy-in) women’s event that we televise.
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Jen: Women poker players are often featured in the mainstream media, and I’d like to see that continue. There are some very important lessons the larger public can learn about finance and money that poker is well suited to illustrate.
Finally, I am very enthusiastic to promote PokerStars Women’s events, including the Women’s Winter Festival. I want our winners to feel special and appreciated for their skills.
An aspirational achievement is for more women to win major events and make final tables. We can’t fully control that. But if we keep increasing our numbers, our skills and our volume, year by year, more women winners will be inevitable.
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KJ: It’s crucial that women’s events are no longer a tick box exercise on event schedules. They shouldn’t have the worst structure of the entire week. Dedicated thought needs to go into the levels, starting stack and playability.
The most recent NAPT Las Vegas structure was awesome and a great example. At two tables remaining, average stack was 30+ bigs and you genuinely could play a hand.
There should be a minimum requirement for all events as there are for mixed fields. If you looked at an event and wouldn’t play it based on its make-up, women shouldn’t be served up that ‘no option’ structure on their dedicated events either.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to try poker for the first time?
Marle: My advice for women playing for the first time is just jump in. Play online, at your local club or home game, or at a casino and just get experience. If you can find some friends that like talking about strategy, even better!’
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Jen: Poker will always have lucky and unlucky days. Make sure to figure out what you love about the game, so that you are able to withstand the tougher times and come out ahead stronger.
For some people, that North Star is the social element, or the joy of making a great bluff or fold. For others, it’s learning a new game or format or getting to play —and win some hands—against one of their favourite players.
For me, it’s both the great friends I meet in poker, and also the math of the game. Math and people may seem like opposites, but to me they represent the balance of logic and emotion in our lives.
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KJ: Find your preferred space. Something you’re comfortable with to get you started. Learn the basics of the game using the complementary online tools. You don’t have to invest until you’re ready.
Search out pub and bar leagues, research women’s groups, there are lots of them and all eager to coach and assist more women into the field. And most importantly, stay within your means. Don’t extend yourself financially. Slowly grow your game at first and build your bankroll.
As a woman in poker that not only plays, and loves playing, I work in the arena and have faced the very same challenges we habitually talk about that happen on and off the table in a poker room.
The last twelve years as Director of Poker at London’s Leading poker room, PokerStars Live at The Hippodrome, I have navigated my way through with a determination to break the narrative.
To give women a voice, to welcome all, equally at the tables, and ultimately provide opportunities to learn the game, play, and to have a great experience. I’m proud to say that is a regular day in the Hippodrome Cardroom. For everyone!
