Friday’s focus at Wynn Las Vegas was women in poker. More precisely, a special Ladies Meet Up Game (MUG) The final table of the World Poker Tour (WPT) Ladies Championship followed in the morning, which was broadcast live on YouTube.
In this women’s tournament, part of the WPT World Championship Festival, Lisa Costello was the last player standing out of 457 participants and received $85,297.
Before the final table took place, WPT Global Ambassador Jamie Kerstetter hosted a MUG exclusively for women at the Wynn Poker Room. There were nine low-stakes cash games and many raffles with some valuable prizes, including several $1,100 prizes WPT Prime Championship Seats.
Costello stands alone
The second annual WPT Women’s Championship ended Friday night with victory for Costello, who now has over $300,000 in The Hendon Mob earnings. She steamrolled through a tough final table that included poker pros Ashley Sleeth, the player she defeated heads-up for the title. Sleeth earned her career-best prize money of $57,069, despite finishing one place shy of the championship.
The World Poker Tour brought back the $1,100 buy-in tournament after the success of the inaugural event last year. Lina Niu won it in 2022 for $105,136.
At the final table in 2023 There’s Lang went first and took sixth place for $20,155. months lie exited in fifth place for $26,480, followed by Chris Read in fourth place for $34,220.
By the time the field had whittled down to the final three competitors, Costello had built a huge chip lead. But Sleeth would double against the chip leader if she moved all-in K♠Q♦ against K♣J♣ and the best hand held up.
That was bad news for Kathy Stahl as she was hoping to get into heads-up play. A few moments later, Costello overtook them by winning a race. For her third place finish, Stahl received $43,686.
When heads-up play began, Costello was well ahead and quickly extended her lead to 5-1. However, Sleeth would double shortly thereafter. But on the 113th hand of the final table, she moved all-in preflop A♣10♦ and was snapped up by Costello’s A♥Q♦.
The board’s help didn’t come for Sleeth because it was running short 9♦7♣6♠K♦5♥and thus ended the tournament. Costello has officially been crowned the 2023 WPT Women’s Champion.
WPT Ladies Championship final table results
| LOCATION | PLAYER | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lisa Costello | $85,297 |
| 2 | Ashley Sleeth | $57,069 |
| 3 | Kathy Stahl | $43,686 |
| 4 | Chris Read | $34,220 |
| 5 | months lie | $26,480 |
| 6 | There’s Lang | $20,155 |
*Image courtesy of the World Poker Tour.
