2026 Women's Poker Week: Golden Nugget Event Concludes, Jessica Plusko Wins

The 2026 Women's Poker Week continues in Las Vegas, with the latest stop held on Sunday, June 21 at the Golden Nugget's poker room. A total of 132 players competed for the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) trophy, the Women's Poker Association (WPA) trophy, the Golden Nugget trophy, and the $8,064 top prize. The total prize pool reached $32,472, with the money bubble bursting at 19 players.

The atmosphere was electric from the start. LIPS once again created a fun and friendly environment, with Cardplayer Lifestyle partnering with the WPA to provide full coverage of the event.

The mood at the tables was cheerful and celebratory, with players chatting, catching up with friends, and enjoying a "green tea" cocktail between hands.

The field featured many familiar faces from the women's poker community, including Jamie Kerstetter, Ruth Hall, Maureen Bloechlinger, Kristen Deardorff, Poker Hall of Fame member Barbara Enright, Marsha Wolak-Barnett, and WPA board member Bridgette Adkins. With a strong turnout for the $300 buy-in event and a wealth of talent, another unforgettable day of women's poker was underway.

The final three players reached a three-way deal, and conveniently, three trophies were waiting to be awarded. The chip counts were extremely close: Tina Stafford had the shortest stack, while Ruth Hall and Jessica Plusko were tied for the lead. The trio decided to make a deal.

In a generous move, Ruth agreed to award the official first-place title to Jessica. Ruth already has multiple victories and many trophies, while Jessica had not yet achieved a first-place finish in a major event. This moment was especially meaningful, as Jessica will take the LIPS trophy back home to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jessica has been playing poker for years and has had considerable success along the way, calling this victory especially memorable. Reflecting on the tournament, she said, "It's great to have women's events." She added, "You need to use a different strategy than in regular tournaments." That strategy clearly worked. Jessica attributed her success to staying quiet at the table, carefully reading opponents' personalities and tendencies. She also wore a gratitude bracelet during the event, explaining, "It's a blessing to be able to play in these tournaments."

Tina won the WPA trophy. Known for her fearless style and precise timing in applying pressure, she never hesitates to push when the moment is right. According to WomenPokerNews.com, her play was heavily influenced by a conversation with the late Doyle Brunson, whose advice has guided her game: "When you're in a hand, it's either you or me, and it sure as hell ain't me."

Ruth "Ruthless" Hall took home the Golden Nugget trophy. With over $500,000 in live tournament earnings, she is a player opponents dread facing. A respected poker coach and accomplished competitor, she is also one of the founding members of the Women's Poker Association and has always been an active advocate for creating more opportunities for female players.

Fourth-place finisher Michelle Woodward missed out on the deal, but she kept the audience and tables lively all day. Every time she won a pot, she celebrated with her signature "pony ride" dance.

Fifth place went to ever-optimistic Maureen Bloechlinger from Switzerland. She is passionate about supporting women's poker, currently collecting poker flags from around the world, and plans to host a women's poker event in Nairobi, Kenya later this year.

Sixth place was Marsha Wolak-Barnett. With over $1 million in live tournament earnings, she is one of the most accomplished players in the field. She won a gold bracelet in the 2011 World Series of Poker Ladies Event and now coaches aspiring players through Epic Poker Coaching. A former international tennis player, she remains a fierce competitor at the poker table.

Seventh place went to Nathathai Pearson, who plans to play all the events of the 2026 Women's Poker Week. After another deep run, she showed no signs of slowing down.

Eighth place was Laura Westfall from Oregon. According to The Hendon Mob, her live tournament earnings have exceeded $100,000, with multiple final table appearances.

Ninth place went to Samantha Gonzalez from Texas, who battled through tough competition to reach the final table of nine.

This event perfectly showcased what the Ladies International Poker Series and the Women's Poker Association stand for: competitive poker, camaraderie, and a welcoming environment where women can thrive. From first-time champions to seasoned veterans, the final table was filled with talent, personality, and stories, making for an unforgettable day at the Golden Nugget.

The Golden Nugget was delighted to host this event during Women's Week. Joel Garcia, Director of Poker Operations at Golden Nugget Las Vegas, said: "Women's events have been a staple of our Grand Poker Series for years. What made this year special was partnering with LIPS to increase awareness of poker and women's poker. Lupe Soto and Christina Black were fantastic, and we are already looking forward to 2027. Whether it's the poker room or poker tournaments, the game can be intimidating for new players. As operators, creating a fun and safe space for new female players is important to all of us. We are extremely proud to be part of elevating women both at and away from the tables."

Player of the Day: Christina Lofquist

Although Christina Lofquist did not play, she generously agreed to an interview. A longtime supporter of the Women's Poker Association, Christina is passionate about promoting poker and creating opportunities for women. She is also a proud ambassador for the RunGood Poker Series, a role she thoroughly enjoys. Whether promoting events or helping create a fun, friendly atmosphere at the tables, Christina's lively personality makes her a natural fit.

Christina's love for poker began long before she ever sat at a poker table. Family gatherings often revolved around card games, including her favorite, "Pass the Trash." These early experiences honed her card sense and ability to read people, skills that later proved invaluable in poker.

She first encountered poker while working as a bartender. The venue hosted "poker bars," a free-to-enter... (original text truncated here)