Kerryjane Craigie, PokerStars Ambassador and Director of Poker at the Hippodrome Casino, is embracing 2025 with a fresh outlook and exciting opportunities. Starting the year on a high note, she shares her enthusiasm for upcoming events, and celebrates the incredible milestones achieved by women in poker.
Craigie reflects on the achievements of 2024 and looks ahead to making an even greater impact in the year to come. In this blog, she delves into her goals for 2025, upcoming events, and the continued mission to build a welcoming and vibrant poker community for all.
New Year, New Role
Happy New Year everyone! For me, it looks like 2025 is shaping up to be another exciting and busy year of poker. I’ve already spoken about how I want to leave negativity behind going forwards, and I can’t wait to dive in to everything this year is going to bring.
It’s already brought some big personal news — I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been named Vice President of the Women’s Poker Association, International. I’ll be leading a small but mighty team of volunteers dedicated to driving initiatives that make the poker world a better place for women. It’s an honour to take on this role, and I’m eager to get started!
GPI Rankings Show Strength of Women’s Poker
Speaking of incredible women in poker, the GPI Women’s Rankings for 2024 were such a great read.
I was so impressed by the battle between Cherish Andrews and Kristen Foxen for the 2024 GPI Women’s Player of the Year, but closer to home massive congratulations are in order to the exceptionally talented Cassandra Yong (pictured) who was named GPI UK Women’s Player of the Year. She’s on everyone’s radar and is definitely one to watch in 2025 after an amazing top-spot finish!
Shoutout to the inspiring Sinead Davenport, who’s had a phenomenal year, and, of course, the ever-popular Katie Swift, whose presence in the rankings brought a huge smile to my face.
A Family Affair for Katie Swift at Women’s Winter Festival
Next year promises to be another incredible year for women in poker and I’m excited to see what Rania Nasreddine gets up to this year after final-tabling TWO European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Events last year. I’m also interested in seeing whether Liv Boeree’s fourth-place finish in the WSOP Paradise Main Event leads to her returning to the tables more frequently, despite donating over half a million dollars of her prize money to charity!
What an amazing lineup of women breaking barriers and making waves in the game!
What’s Coming Up This Month?
All this success just makes me more eager to play and I’m looking forward to hitting the felt myself this month. I’ve got a few stops already penciled in!
The newly announced PokerStars Open stops look great and any women’s tournaments will be taking top priority. I hope to see many of you out there—let’s rally together and make these events even bigger and better!
But before then, there’s plenty happening at The Hippodrome Casino to kickstart 2025.
Monthly Ladies Club Leaderboard
Ladies that Poker at the Hippodrome continues to go from strength to strength, and you mustn’t miss out on a monthly leaderboard for the chance to win one of two incredible Las Vegas experiences.
You can grab points by playing in our ladies tournaments every month. Don’t miss out—join us and check out our Facebook page: ‘Ladies That Poker at The Hippodrome‘.
Women’s Sit & Go Tutorial
Our livestreaming studio is officially up and running! We’ll be hosting monthly tutorials—if you’d like a seat at the table, subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay tuned for updates and opportunities.
Would You Fold This Hand? GTO Wizard Has Some Thoughts…
PokerStars at The Hippodrome Winter Series
Our mini festival at The Hippodrome runs from January 30 to February 2 with something for everyone. Make sure to swing by and join the fun.
You can grab points for the Monthly Ladies Club Leaderboard by playing in the £220 Women’s Event on the 1st February.
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 30 Jan | 12:00 pm | Qualifier to High Roller (Event #1) | £125 |
| Thu 30 – Fri 31 Jan | 2:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – High Roller (Event #2) | £1,100 |
| Thu 30 Jan | 6:00 pm | Qualifier to Main Event (Event #3) | £85 |
| Fri 31 Jan – Sun 2 Feb | 12:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event (Event #4) Flight A | £550 |
| Fri 31 Jan | 12:30 pm | Qualifier to Main Event (Event #5) | £65 |
| Fri 31 Jan | 2:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – High Roller (Event #2) Day 2 | £1,100 |
| Fri 31 Jan | 5:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event (Event #4) Flight B | £550 |
| Sat 1 Feb | 12:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event (Event #4) Flight C | £550 |
| Sat 1 Feb | 4:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – Women’s Event (Event #6) | £220 |
| Sun 2 Feb | 12:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – Main Event (Event #4) Final | N/A |
| Sun 2 Feb | 4:00 pm | No Limit Hold’em – Turbo Bounty (Event #7) | £115 + £50 |
Here’s to staying positive, keeping your energy high, and making 2025 a year to remember. Let’s crush it together.
Managing Editor
