My 2014 Ballot — Women in Poker Hall of Fame

The Women in Poker Hall of Fame was founded six years ago.

Attending each of the four official induction ceremonies held so far has been my honor.  The event celebrates many of the wonderful women who have been an integral part of our game and who have helped poker to grow, especially among other ladies.

I’m also fortunate to have a vote in the election as to who gets inducted, a responsibility I take seriously.  The trouble is — all of the nominees which have been proposed this year are worthy of consideration.  Perhaps over time, they will all receive the honor they rightly deserve.

My choice was a difficult one.  I personally know 6 of the 7 ladies on this year’s ballot.  All have my deepest respect.

However, this year I decided to cast my votes for two women, who I think are really special and the most deserving.

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman seems to be a lock as a candidate — if not now, then certainly in the future — for all she’s done for the game.  Not only did she win her first WSOP gold bracelet a few years ago topping a field of more than 4,000 players, but she’s also written extensively about poker, as well as worked in the legal field to improve the game.  Allyn also plays a lot of poker as she has been doing for nearly two decades dating back to her days as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.  I’ve also found that she’s always willing and eager to help any cause that’s poker-related.

My other vote went to Debbie Burkhead.  Debbie doesn’t maintain as high a profile as some of the other candidates.  But she’s a significant part of just about everything important that goes on in womens’ poker.  I just see Debbie around Las Vegas all the time, working tirelessly at everything she does, which is all behind the scenes.  I think it’s important to recognize someone who doesn’t necessarily stand out through tournament wins or high-profile events.  She’s undoubtedly made the game a lot better by being in it.  Debbie is also highly-respected as a leading voice in the industry.

As for the other candidates, a few comments:

I’ve known Donna Blevins for nearly 20 years, and I love her dearly.  She’s a wonderful success story and has done a lot.  I think her time will come in the future.

Deborah Giardina is also quite familiar to me and someone I have come to know and respect over the years.  She’s been one of the top poker room managers in the country for a long time (not just women managers, but overall).  I know Debbie will be a lock for induction, if not this year, then soon hopefully.  One of the best in the business.

Ruth Hall is someone I don’t know, which is my loss.  I hope to know more about her and congratulate her on being nominated.

I’m a big fan of Esther Rossi, who has been around the poker scene as a player for a long time.  I was really glad to see her nominated, especially after being somewhat in Chip Reese’s shadow for years (she was very close to Chip).  I hope she stays active and continues to work in poker.

Jennifer Tilly undoubtedly deserves induction, not just for winning the 2006 Ladies Poker World Championship, but for her dedication to the game since then.  Tilly appears at just about every major poker event and unquestionably makes the game more appealing and exciting, just from her presence.  I would think Tilly is one of the favorites this year for induction, and I certainly would be among those standing and clapping if she gets chosen.  Like the others, if not this year, then just a matter of time.

It should be noted that the balloting is supposed to be secret.  Voters are not obliged to release who they voted for.  However, I am eager and willing to go on the record and say why I chose these two candidates.

Congratulations to all of the women who were nominated this year.  I’m looking forward to hearing who will be selected as the Class of 2014.

Here’s the official press release, sent out by Lupe Soto, one of the most active promoters of the game who I know:

Ballot is set for the 2014 Women in Poker Hall of Fame Inductions

Voting takes place now for the 2014 WiPHoF Induction Celebration during Ladies Poker Week™

Las Vegas, NV (April 29, 2014) – The Women in Poker Hall of Fame (WiPHoF) has begun voting for the Class of 2014 inductions. This year the WiPHoF Induction Ceremony & Tournament Celebration takes place on June 25th, 2014 at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.

“We have an amazing group of qualified women for this year’s ballot and the voting process is critical to the success of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.” Said WiPHoF Board Chair Lupe Soto. “After careful screening of qualified nominees, voting begins on April 29^th by the current members of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, the Board of Directors and selected media members. Each voting member receives 10 votes. They may cast them however they wish.”

The WiPHoF induction ceremony and luncheon is at 11AM in the Augusta Pebbles Ballrooms at Golden Nugget. Tickets are $40 per person. The WiPHoF Celebration NLHE Bounty Tournament takes place at 5PM. It is a $100 +$25 buy-in tournament. Both events are open to the public.

2014 WiPHoF Ballot: (In alphabetical order)

Donna Blevins – Poker Player /Industry Professional: Donna is a professional poker player, speaker, author and coach. New to poker in 1998, she became a poker journalist with Poker Digest and her column “Beginner’s Corner” for 5 years. She has been passionately involved with the poker industry ever since. She is currently a Poker MindSet Coach and operates a website BigGirlPoker.com.

Debbie Burkhead – Poker Player /Industry Professional: Debbie has a long list of cashes totally more $170,000 including several WSOP cashes. She has worked for Poker Digest and is now the National Sales Director of Poker Player Newspaper and a columnist. She also volunteers on the WiPHoF Board of Directors.

Deborah Giardina – Industry Professional Deborah started her career over 25 years ago and has held many different positions in poker. Most notably, she was the Director of Poker Operations at Canterbury Park, MN, Wynn Las Vegas, and currently in Florida at BestBet Jacksonville and Orange Park Kennel Club. Thanks largely to Deborah, bestbet Jacksonville is on the map as a world class poker room.

Ruth Hall – Poker Player Ruth may be one of our least known candidates. However, she is a tireless volunteer in promoting women in poker. She has been a consistent winner in tournament play and has amassed a considerable resume on Hendon Mob. She volunteers in Texas to promote women in the game and helps bring their game to a higher level.

Esther Rossi – Poker Player Esther has WSOP cashes in the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s, being the youngest female player with that distinction. She also won a Super Bowl of Poker title against open competition and has made 6 WSOP final tables against both ladies and open players. Esther is considered to be one of the best female stud players ever.

Allyn Jaffrey Shulman – Poker Player Allyn is a very well-rounded player, with a consistent history of wins and cashes in tournaments amassing career tournament earnings of over $1.25 Million. In 2012, she won the largest WSOP Senior’s event by defeating 4,128 players for her first WSOP bracelet and over $600k. Since then, she has cashed in four 2013 WSOP events and no fewer than 17 other tournaments, including 1st place in the Venetian’s $5000 buy-in Main Event at the 2013 Deep Stacks Extravaganza III for a win of nearly $300k. She is also a former volunteer board member of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.

Jennifer Tilly – Poker Player Academy Award nominated actress Jennifer Tilly may be the most visible female poker celebrity in the world. After her 2005 World Series of Poker victory in the Ladies event, she went on to win the WPT Ladies Night a few months later. Traveling the world playing poker she has amassed over $850,000 in cashes. Jennifer is known in the poker world as the “UniBombshell” as a takeoff from boyfriend Phil Laak’s nickname “UniBomber”.

We look forward to the continued success of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame and the support of the poker industry. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact us. For more information, please visit www.WiPHoF.com .

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About the Women in Poker Hall of Fame – The prestigious Women in Poker Hall of Fame, founded in 2008 by the Ladies International Poker Series is designed to honor women in poker who have acquired prominence and have made contributions to the poker world. We currently have 15 Inductees in the Hall and two additions are made in 2014.

Lupe Soto, CEO
Ladies International Poker Series
“Leading the Way in Women’s Poker!”
www.LIPSTour.com