Kerryjane Craigie: Results of the Sold-Out UK Ladies Weekend in London

Discover all the highlights from the successful UK Ladies Weekend, a women’s poker festival held at London’s Hippodrome and hosted by Kerryjane Craigie.

Kerryjane Craigie: Results and Highlights of the Sold-Out UK Ladies Weekend at London’s Hippodrome Women’s Poker Weekend in London: A New Level of Engagement In the second half of 2026, PokerStars Ambassador Kerryjane Craigie focused her efforts on developing women’s poker, balancing a busy work schedule with promoting initiatives for players. In October, she led the organization of a unique event — the UK Ladies Weekend , held from October 16 to 18 at London’s Hippodrome Casino as part of the Women’s Poker Association initiative. This was the only women’s poker weekend in the UK, designed to bring together both beginners and experienced players, creating a space for learning, sharing experiences, and live interaction. Craigie notes that this weekend was a special event for her: “I am incredibly proud of the support and interest shown by the women’s poker community. In moments like these, you really feel the power of unity, when both newcomers and professionals, as well as those who simply want to be part of this movement, gather at the same table.” Schedule and Format: Three Days of Play, Learning, and Networking The UK Ladies Weekend was built around three action-packed days, each with its own theme: Friday, October 16 — opening women’s cash games at Hippodrome Casino. For those who couldn’t attend in person, there was a live stream with commentary and hand analysis on the event’s YouTube channel. This format helped expand the audience and engage players from different regions. Saturday, October 17 — a day of learning and development. Leading women’s poker experts hosted a series of educational sessions covering various aspects of the game and personal growth. All tickets for Saturday’s events sold out well in advance, highlighting the high demand for educational formats among women. Sunday, October 18 — the weekend’s main event, a women’s tournament with a £300 buy-in, a starting stack of 20,000 chips, and 25-minute levels. The guaranteed prize pool was £20,000, and the winner received an exclusive trophy. For those wanting to enter the main event, both live and online satellites were held: the monthly Ladies Club at Hippodrome (£35) and qualifiers on PokerStars (£33). By the start of the tournament, about 15 players had qualified through these satellites, but registration remained open until the tournament began — from 11:00 on the day of the event. Organizers also offered additional qualification opportunities, including a final live satellite on October 14 at the Hippodrome. Educational Program: Experts and Unique Experiences Saturday was entirely dedicated to learning and sharing experiences. Leading poker professionals and ambassadors held masterclasses and Q&A sessions, covering key topics in poker development: Jennifer Shahade — discussed how mindset influences poker decisions, encouraged participants to look at the game from a new perspective, and challenged established approaches. Marle Spragg — analyzed real tournament hands, focusing on key decisions, thought processes, and choosing optimal lines. The session was interactive, allowing participants to ask questions and discuss nuances. Victoria Livschitz — spoke about the importance of structured learning and continuous improvement, explaining how working on your game away from the table helps make better decisions during real hands. Maria Ho — wrapped up the educational part with an exclusive Q&A session, giving participants the chance to ask questions directly to one of the most decorated women in poker. After the educational sessions, everyone enjoyed a four-course dinner in the private rooms of the Hippodrome, where hand discussions and experience sharing continued. The menu was prepared by the award-winning chefs of Heliot Steak House, adding a special atmosphere to the event. Main Event: Structure, Qualification, and Prizes The highlight of the weekend was the women’s tournament with a £300 buy-in and a £20,000 guarantee. Each player received a starting stack of 20,000 chips, with 25-minute levels, ensuring deep and strategic play. The tournament began on Sunday, October 18, at 12:00. For those wanting to enter the tournament at a lower cost, both live and online satellites were available: Monthly Ladies Club at Hippodrome — £35 buy-in Online qualifiers on PokerStars — £33 buy-in By the start of the tournament, about 15 players had qualified through satellites, and on-site registration allowed anyone interested to join right up until the tournament began. Additionally, the online qualifier offered a chance to win a 5-day package to the upcoming Malta Poker Festival, where Craigie will also host the Ladies First women’s tournament on October 30. Among the invited guests at the Malta Poker Festival is renowned pro Michael Mizrachi. The winner of the main event received not only a cash prize but also an exclusive trophy, which Craigie described as “truly beautiful.” Impact and Support of the Women’s Community Organizers note that the interest and support from the women’s poker audience exceeded all expectations. All tickets for the educational events sold out, and the tournament itself attracted players of all levels — from beginners to professionals. Craigie emphasizes that such events create a unique atmosphere, foster experience sharing, and strengthen bonds within the women’s poker community. Special attention was paid to inclusivity: the event was open to all women, regardless of skill level. This allowed many to try live poker for the first time, receive support and advice from experienced players, and be inspired by the success stories of women in the industry. Craigie is openly proud of the progress in women’s poker: “I’m thrilled that we managed to create a space where everyone can learn, share experiences, laugh, discuss hands, and of course, win.” Tournament Results and Payouts The full payout table and names of the finalists were not published in the official report, but it is known that: The tournament attracted a significant number of participants thanks to live and online qualifiers The guaranteed prize pool was £20,000 The winner received an exclusive trophy Additional qualifiers allowed many to enter the tournament at a reduced cost, and the winner of the online satellite received a package to the Malta Poker Festival, where the Ladies First women’s tournament led by Craigie will take place on October 30. Among the festival’s headliners is Michael Mizrachi. Context: Venue, Series, and Key Participants The Hippodrome Casino in London is one of the UK’s most renowned poker venues, regularly hosting major events and known for its high level of organization. Kerryjane Craigie is the Poker Director at the Hippodrome and a PokerStars ambassador, which enables her to attract leading experts and industry professionals to the events. Among the invited speakers and guests of the UK Ladies Weekend were Jennifer Shahade (international expert and women’s poker ambassador), Marle Spragg (known for her educational sessions), Victoria Livschitz (poker skills development specialist), and Maria Ho (one of the most successful women in poker). The presence of such figures highlights the high status of the event and its importance for the development of women’s poker in the region. The series is supported by the Women’s Poker Association, whose goal is to expand opportunities for women in poker, create inclusive spaces, and encourage learning and professional growth. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members and organizers of PPPoker clubs, the UK Ladies Weekend experience can serve as an excellent example of how to create in-demand and effective formats for a female audience. Firstly, combining live games, online streams, and educational sessions helps engage both experienced players and newcomers, as well as expand the participant base through online formats. This approach can be implemented in PPPoker clubs by organizing regular women’s tournaments and training sessions with guest experts. Secondly, running low buy-in satellites, as was done at the Hippodrome and on PokerStars, gives more players the chance to try their hand at major events. PPPoker clubs can introduce similar qualifiers to maintain interest and motivation among members, as well as form their own women’s teams to participate in international online and live tournaments. Finally, the UK Ladies Weekend experience shows that creating a friendly and supportive environment where players can not only compete but also learn, discuss hands, and build community significantly increases engagement and loyalty. For PPPoker clubs, this is a signal to develop their own educational programs, organize themed evenings, and support women’s initiatives on an ongoing basis.