What happened at the “Queens & Cards” poker series in Texas?

In June 2024, the Champions Social Club hosted the unique women’s poker series “Queens & Cards.” Learn about the main events, results, and takeaways for players.

In early June 2024, the Champions Social Club (Texas, USA) hosted a unique poker series called “Queens & Cards,” dedicated to women in poker. This event attracted attention not only for its record number of female participants, but also for its unusual tournament formats, celebrity guests, live broadcasts, and generous prize pools. In this article, we’ll give a detailed account of each day of the series, the key results, and what lessons PPPoker club players can take from it. About the “Queens & Cards” Series and Champions Social Club Champions Social Club is a well-known poker club in Texas that regularly hosts major tournaments and cash games. The “Queens & Cards” series was organized with a focus on supporting and developing women’s poker. Over several days, the club held tournaments in various formats, as well as special cash games featuring stars of the global poker scene. The main goal of the series was to create a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for women, attract new participants, and show that poker is open to everyone. The organizers invited well-known players and introduced special formats to make the event as vibrant and diverse as possible. Day 1: Women’s Tag Team Tournament — Record Number of Participants The series kicked off with a women’s Tag Team tournament with a $150 buy-in per team. The Tag Team format means that pairs of players compete together, sharing one stack and taking turns at the table. In this case, when the tournament director called “switch,” teammates had to swap seats and continue playing for each other. The “switch” could be announced at any moment—even during a hand or while making a decision. The tournament generated huge interest: there were 120 entries, setting a new record for this format at Champions Social Club (the previous record was 85 entries). This highlights the growing interest in women’s poker events and the success of the Tag Team format in attracting new players. Winners: Tricia Symansic and Sarah Landell split first place and received $1,975 each. Day 2: “Brat Attack” — Cash Game with Phil Hellmuth and an All-Female Lineup The second day of the series featured a live-streamed “Brat Attack” cash game with $5/$10 No Limit Hold’em stakes. The special feature of this game was that the table was made up exclusively of women, plus 17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth. Special rules were set for Hellmuth: his effective stack was always $900, and there was a permanent $1,000 bounty on him. This meant that any participant who knocked Hellmuth out of a hand would receive an extra $1,000 on top of the pot they won. Well-known female players such as Nikki Limo, Caitlin Comeskey, Brandi Rook, Rachelle Park, Katie Lindsay, AJ Rudolph, and Esther “ETay” Taylor took part in the game. The atmosphere at the table was very warm and supportive. In an interview with PokerNews, Phil Hellmuth said he was pleasantly surprised by the participants’ enthusiasm and glad that women from all over the country came to the event. He emphasized that women are always welcome in the poker community. Nikki Limo joked that she enjoyed playing against Hellmuth’s “4% VPIP” (meaning he played only 4% of hands), and AJ Rudolph added that the club did everything possible to create a friendly atmosphere and smooth organization. She also noted that Hellmuth was generous not only with money but also with his time: he took part in the stream, the Maneater Bounty tournament, and, at the players’ request, paid the “bubble” (the prize spot just outside the money) in the Main Event. Caitlin Comeskey expressed her gratitude to the club for its openness and support of new participants, as well as for creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. She stressed that such events are important for women’s poker and expressed hope that similar initiatives would continue. Day 2: Maneater Bounty Tournament — Hunting the Men Alongside the cash game, the Maneater Bounty tournament was held with a $250 buy-in. The special feature of this tournament was that every man who registered had a $100 bounty on him. Not only were men allowed to participate, but they were encouraged to do so to add excitement and dynamism. The winner of the tournament was Lisa Fleischman, who took home the top prize of $6,350, plus $600 in bounties for knocking out men. Day 3: Main Event with Added Prize Pool from Phil Hellmuth The highlight of the series was the Main Event with a $500 buy-in. It attracted 158 players, and the prize pool was significantly increased thanks to a generous gesture from Phil Hellmuth, who added $25,000 of his own money. This made the payouts even more significant for the winners. The winner of the Main Event was Cheryl Spencer-Nejtek, who took home the top prize of $25,230. Tournament Results and Prizes Women’s Tag Team ($150): 120 entries, winners — Tricia Symansic & Sarah Landell, $1,975 each. Maneater Bounty ($250): Winner — Lisa Fleischman, $6,350 + $600 in bounties. Main Event ($500): 158 entries, winner — Cheryl Spencer-Nejtek, $25,230. Participant Feedback and Event Atmosphere Many participants noted that the “Queens & Cards” series was a true celebration for women’s poker. In their comments, they emphasized the importance of such events for developing the community, building new connections, and supporting newcomers. The warm atmosphere, professionalism of the organizers, and the willingness of celebrity guests like Phil Hellmuth not only to participate but also to support players were especially highlighted. AJ Rudolph stressed that the club did everything possible to ensure the comfort of the participants, and Hellmuth was generous not only financially but also in his interactions. Caitlin Comeskey noted that such events are needed so that women feel confident at the poker table and can pass on positive experiences to new players. Phil Hellmuth, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the invitation and said he was happy to see more and more women in poker. He emphasized that such initiatives make the poker community more open and diverse. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, the experience of the “Queens & Cards” series is an excellent example of how unconventional formats and special conditions can attract new players and diversify the game. Organizing women’s tournaments, team events, or tournaments with bounties on certain players can liven up club poker and create a unique atmosphere. Players and organizers of PPPoker clubs can take inspiration from Tag Team tournaments, special bounty events, and inviting high-profile guests to create memorable events. These formats not only increase interest in the game but also help build a loyal and active community. Moreover, the experience of Champions Social Club shows that support from well-known players, as well as attention to the atmosphere and comfort of all participants, are key factors for success. PPPoker clubs should focus not only on the prize pool, but also on creating an environment where every player feels like part of the team and enjoys the game.