The World Poker Tour has taken the term "ladies' night" to a new level. On Wednesday, the WPT announced the inception of the WPT Ladies, a series of tournaments open only to women.
Buy-ins will range from $300 to $1,500 and according to a WPT news release, will provide "multiple opportunities for amateur, semi-pro, and professional female players to test their skills in a tournament environment at prestigious gaming destinations without having to pay a costly five-figure buy-in."
One of the added incentives is that participants at each WPT Ladies stop will have the opportunity to win a seat in the WPT Ladies' Championship by winning an event. The championship will be the final stop on the tour and will be a $1,500 buy-in tournament held at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
"Women are a rising force in poker," said Robyn Moder, the executive vice president of WPT Studios. "By bringing a WPT ladies league and tour stops to top gaming destinations across the U.S., we hope to support and perpetuate the evolution of the sport and recognition of the women who play."
The first season starts Jan. 20 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. Other locations will include Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut, the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles and Bay 101 in San Jose, Calif.
Additionally, the WPT has partnered up with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to raise money for breast cancer research. According to release, "Participants will have the opportunity to donate at each tour stop and 15 percent of each $1,500 buy-in at the WPTL Championship will be donated to benefit Komen for the Cure."
Coverage of the WPT Ladies championship can be found on the Game Show Network.