The Women in Poker Hall of Fame (WiPHoF) is gearing up to induct a new class of incredible women who have made a significant impact on the poker world! Eight outstanding nominees are in the running, and the competition is fierce. These women have not only crushed it at the tables but have also been instrumental in shaping the poker industry into what it is today.
Meet the Nominees
The eight finalists for the WiPHoF Class of 2024 are:
Kristen Bicknell Foxen: Four-time WSOP bracelet winner Kristen Bicknell Foxen is a poker legend in the making. With over $8.40 Million in earnings, she’s one of the top 200 money earners of all time – and one of only two women to achieve this feat. From online prodigy (three-time Supernova Elite!) to live tournament crusher, Foxen’s dominance knows no bounds. Her 13th-place finish in the 2024 WSOP Main Event for $600,000 is just the latest in a long line of incredible achievements.
Liv Boeree is a poker legend. With over $3.80 Million in winnings and a spot in the top 10 female earners of all time, her impact on the game is undeniable. She’s the only woman to win a WSOP bracelet and an EPT Main Event, a feat highlighted by her historic win at EPT Sanremo in 2010.
Now, this three-time Global Poker Index European Female Player of the Year is using her platform to inspire. Boeree champions rational thinking, sharing the strategic lessons learned from poker with a wider audience. She’s also a passionate advocate for Effective Altruism, co-founding Raising for Effective Giving (REG) to promote evidence-based philanthropy. Liv Boeree is a poker champion, science communicator, and a force for good in the world.
Jeanne David is a true poker maverick. Not only did she conquer the felt with a passion for mixed games – racking up $250,000 in winnings almost exclusively from those complex variants – but she also fought tirelessly behind the scenes to shape the future of poker itself.
As the former head of responsible gaming for PokerStars, David was a driving force in legalizing online poker across the US and Europe. Her efforts helped bring the virtual felt to millions in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. A true advocate for players, she passionately addressed responsible gaming practices before parliament in the Netherlands and the UK Gambling Commission.
Jamie Kerstetter is more than just a poker pro; she’s a social media maven and a voice for the game. This two-time Global Poker Award winner for “Best Twitter Personality” brings her sharp wit and infectious enthusiasm to both the felt and the commentary booth.
With over $950,000 in live tournament winnings, Kerstetter has proven her skills time and again, even though a WSOP bracelet has remained just out of reach – for now. But she’s no stranger to victory, having famously taken down a WSOP Circuit Ring online in 2022… while charging her phone in a casino bathroom!
When she’s not battling for pots or cracking jokes on Twitter, Kerstetter can be found alongside poker broadcasting legends Norman Chad and Lon McEachern, bringing her unique perspective to the WSOP.
Kara Scott is a true poker Renaissance woman. This Canadian-British TV personality and former 888poker ambassador has captivated audiences as the anchor for countless WSOP events and shows like Poker Night Live and High Stakes Poker.
But Scott isn’t just a captivating presenter; she’s a skilled player with over $660,000 in winnings, including deep runs in the WSOP Main Event and a near-victory at the 2009 Irish Open for €312,600.
Whether she’s delivering insightful commentary, writing for publications like PokerNews, or battling for pots, Kara Scott is a true icon in the world of poker.
Rebecca McAdam Willetts is a poker powerhouse. For nearly two decades, she’s been a champion for women in the industry, leading initiatives like women-only boot camps and creating the first female insights community.
But her impact extends far beyond the felt. This inspiring leader has raised over $1.50 Million for charity through iconic PokerStars events, demonstrating her commitment to giving back.
And as if that wasn’t enough, McAdam Willetts recently founded QueenBHive, a dynamic PR and marketing company supporting women-owned businesses in male-dominated fields. Remarkably, she launched this venture while pregnant with her daughter! It’s no wonder she’s a four-time “Inspiration of the Year” finalist at the Women in Gaming Awards.
Annette Obrestad, the Norwegian poker prodigy known online as “Annette_15,” is another legend. This fearless player built her bankroll from freerolls and even won an online tournament without looking at her hole cards!
But Obrestad didn’t stop there. A day before her 19th birthday, she conquered the inaugural WSOP Europe Main Event in London for £1 Million, becoming the youngest bracelet winner in history (at that time) and setting a record for the largest single-event payout for a female player.
With over $3.90 Million in earnings and a fourth-place ranking on Norway’s all-time money list, she’s inspired countless women to take on the poker world. Though now dominating the Scrabble scene, Obrestad’s impact on poker remains undeniable.
Jennifer Shahade is a force to be reckoned with, conquering both the chess and poker worlds with exceptional skill. This Woman Grandmaster and two-time US Women’s Chess Champion is a strategic mastermind, a respected author, and a powerful voice for women in both games.
As PokerStars’ MindSports Ambassador, Shahade has racked up impressive poker victories, including a €100,000 win and a deep run in the 2016 WSOP Main Event. But her impact goes beyond the felt. She’s a fearless advocate for equality in chess, bravely speaking out against injustice and inspiring others. Jennifer Shahade is a true champion – in the game and in life.
Voting for the WiPHoF Class of 2024 is open until midnight PST on October 30, 2024. A panel of media and industry experts, along with the public, will cast their votes to determine who will be inducted into this prestigious group. The winners will be announced in November and honoured at a ceremony in Las Vegas on December 11, 2024.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Women in Poker Hall of Fame was founded in 2008 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in the poker world. The current hall consists of 25 incredible women who have significantly contributed to the game as players or industry leaders. These include legends like Linda Johnson, Barbara Enright, Jennifer Harman, Maria Ho, and Jennifer Tilly.
Whoever is inducted into the Class of 2024 will join this esteemed group of women who have helped shape the poker world into what it is today. It’s an exciting time for women in poker, and we can’t wait to see who will be the next to join the Hall of Fame!