2026 Women's Poker Week: Orleans Ladies Championship Concludes
During the 2026 Women's Poker Week, the $600 Ladies Championship at Orleans Casino attracted 191 players, with a total prize pool of $98,365. Canadian player Fatima Nanji won the championship, receiving $23,856 and a champion ring. The event showcased the competitive charm of women's poker.
On June 19, the poker room at The Orleans was buzzing with excitement as the $600 Ladies Championship, one of the key events of the 2026 Women’s Poker Week, attracted many players from the poker community. The tournament featured a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool, and a total of 191 entries created a final prize pool of $98,365. The top 24 players finished in the money, with a min-cash of $1,328 and a first-place prize of $23,856.
The tournament began at 11:00 AM with each player receiving 40,000 in starting chips. The early levels were 30 minutes long, increasing to 40 minutes after Level 12, making for a well-structured and player-friendly format. After a day of intense competition, the final table was still underway after 2:00 AM.
The final table players battled fiercely. Fifth-place finisher Kristen Deardorff, with over $600,000 in lifetime live tournament earnings, continued her strong showing. Fourth-place Lori Pinto, a Las Vegas local, is a familiar face in women's poker events. Third-place Vivianne Gentry earned her spot on the podium with an excellent performance.
Runner-up Amanda Baker (also known as "Mandy B") is a yoga instructor with over $500,000 in live tournament earnings. She remained calm and focused throughout, ultimately finishing second.
Champion Fatima Nanji, a tax specialist from Vancouver, Canada, boasts career tournament earnings over $320K. Her playing style is low-key and observant, applying pressure at the right moments. After the win, she humbly remarked, "I knew my opponent Amanda Baker was very skilled; today I was just lucky."
Below are the final table results:
WPA Update and Upcoming Events
The Women's Poker Association (WPA) announced a Summer Raffle: tickets are $25 each (5 for $100), with prizes including a $1,000 WSOP Women's Event seat and a $360 LIPS Championship seat. All proceeds from ticket sales will go toward increasing the prize pool.
2026 Women's Poker Week Remaining Events
- Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 AM: $250 MGM Grand Ladies Championship, $20,000 guaranteed
- Sunday, June 21 at 11:00 AM: $300 LIPS Ladies No-Limit Hold'em (The Golden Nugget), $25,000 guaranteed
As the official media partner of the WPA, Cardplayer Lifestyle will continue to bring exclusive coverage of Women's Poker Week.