2026 Women's Poker Week: Amber Sullivan Wins LIPS Championship at Venetian

During the 2026 Women's Poker Week, the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) Championship took place at the bustling Venetian, starting at 11:10 AM. By the close of registration, 314 players had entered the $800 buy-in event, easily surpassing the $150,000 guarantee. The final prize pool swelled to $218,230, with 30 players cashing. The champion took home $43,536, and the minimum cash was $1,690.

Cardplayer Lifestyle was on-site covering the 2026 Women's Poker Week, as LIPS and the Women's Poker Association (WPA) celebrated another thrilling final table and the continued growth of women's poker.

The final table lineup was stacked with talent. WPA Vice President Christina Black remarked, "Wow, a tough final table!"

The first player eliminated was poker influencer Alexandra Loveless, whose positive attitude and sportsmanship made her a popular figure among peers; she finished in 9th place.

Representing Belgium, Manon Ampe battled to 8th place, while seasoned tournament regular Jo Ann Schmidt added another notable finish to her résumé, taking 7th.

6th place went to long-time grinder Kathy Kolberg, who, according to The Hendon Mob, has over $400,000 in live tournament earnings.

Lily Lofty from Boston finished 5th; she is also an accomplished player with recorded tournament earnings exceeding $400,000.

4th place was Lauren Bunch, an American triathlete who continues to make her mark in the poker world.

3rd place went to Judith Bielan, a Las Vegas local who brought one of the most impressive résumés to the final table, with over $1 million in live tournament earnings.

The final two players reached an ICM chop agreement, with Ludan Zhang from China taking the runner-up prize along with the LIPS championship trophy.

The largest share of the prize pool, the WPA trophy, and the coveted Venetian coin were awarded to Amber Sullivan from the United Kingdom. The victory was an emotional one, and she celebrated this milestone achievement with her family.

Final Table Results

Jimmy Miller, Tournament Director at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, has over 30 years of experience in the poker industry and has witnessed the growth of women's poker firsthand. Miller, who saw some of the earliest women's events at the 2003 World Series of Poker, appreciates the unique atmosphere these tournaments create.

"Diversity is great, and that's what poker is about," Miller said. "We're always looking for ways to grow the game. The ladies have fun and support each other."

Miller also emphasized the importance of creating a safe and professional environment for everyone who enters the poker room. "It's important to us that players feel protected. No nonsense, we protect our players and our staff."

His commitment to maintaining a welcoming and secure atmosphere was evident throughout the event, ensuring the focus remained on the competition and camaraderie.

Player of the Day: Monika Hrabec (Zukowicz)

Professional poker player Monika Hrabec has made a name for herself in the international poker scene, but she also shares her life with one of poker's rising stars. She is married to Roman Hrabec, who is making waves in the high-stakes poker world. The couple has been married for nearly a year, and despite spending a lot of time together, Monika jokes that her husband remains a mystery.

"He is a machine. Even though we are married, I still haven't figured him out."

Of course, Monika herself is a machine. A former pharmacist from Poland who now lives in Vienna, she translates her scientific knowledge into a powerful weapon at the tables. Today, she is a full-time ambassador for ACR Poker, balancing tournaments, streaming, social media content creation, and brand endorsements.

One of the highlights of her career was winning the Mystery Bounty event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2023, a result that cemented her reputation as a formidable competitor.

Although she frequently plays open events, Hrabec has a special fondness for women's tournaments: "I love it. I absolutely love the community. Every girl who decides to have a dream in poker has that inner fire, the same as me."

Her day was made even more interesting by Roman's deep run in WSOP Event #62 $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em. Monika wanted to go deep herself, but also was eager to cheer for her husband, who eventually finished in 11th place, narrowly missing the final table.

Deep stack poker is where Hrabec shines. She credits extensive study in these formats and actively seeks out events that allow her to leverage that advantage. With countless events available in Las Vegas, women's events appeal to her for multiple reasons.

"It's a great warm-up. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, it's pleasant."

She also points out the practical aspect of event selection: "It's important to have a mix of games, including some smaller buy-in tournaments to protect the bankroll."