1,100 Ladies Compete at the WSOP

More than 1,100 ladies participated at the ladies event of the World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The number of players nearly doubles from the 600 that entered in the 2005 WSOP, where Oscar nominated actress Jennifer Tilly took the bracelet.

World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said that Tilly has been a great help in propagating the popularity of poker among women. "Jennifer Tilly has helped fuel the explosive growth in the popularity of women's poker," said Pollack. "She was a gracious winner of last year's event and has been a terrific ambassador for the game."

Tilly has teamed up with more stars this season representing Elle magazine and PartyPoker.net, including actresses Shannon Elizabeth, Alison Worth and Katie Porrello.

The ELLE team members will donate a percentage of their winnings to the American Heart Association and team sponsors will likewise match those donations.

Hollywood Poker also sent a star studded team that included Anne Heche, Ricki Lake, Victoria Pratt, Jean Smart, Mimi Rogers, Mena Suvari and Kelly Hu.

The Ladies tournament -- one of 45 events in the 37th Annual World Series of Poker that runs through August 10 - has drawn the largest crowd of spectators by far. Fans filled the tournament room at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, hoping for a glimpse of their favorite Hollywood or poker celebrity.

Wednesday, 23. 2006
Sherry Barlow

1,100 Ladies Compete at the WSOP

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