Next month, the World Poker Tour (WPT) will host the largest freeroll in poker history at Wynn Las Vegas as part of the WPT World Championship festivities. One player in the field will be Las Vegas' Carolyn Wayne, a longtime poker player who won a Golden Passport into the ClubWPT Gold $5M Invitational Freeroll thanks to Jamie Kerstetter's social media giveaway.
Originally from New York, Wayne moved to Vegas upon retirement and has had her share of poker success, including taking down a Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) event at Resorts World earlier this year.
PokerNews caught up with Wayne to learn about her poker background and how she is preparing for the $5 million freeroll at Wynn Las Vegas.
Q&A with Carolyn Wayne
PokerNews: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Wayne: I'm old enough to play in Super Seniors events. Originally from NY, I grew up working in the food service industry. I eventually obtained my college degree, and so began a 30+year career in Accounting and Finance. I knew for a long time that I wanted to retire in Las Vegas, so I packed my bags a few years early (in 2013), and made the move cross country. I subsequently retired in 2021, and now enjoy part-time work as a Guest Experience Representative for an entertainment venue.
When and how did you win your seat into the Freeroll? How did you first hear about it?
I was so excited to have won a seat in the WPT $5M Freeroll taking place at the Wynn in December. My bestie, Louise Francoeur, recently nominated me for the seat in a contest run by Jamie Kerstetter. Louise's beautifully written tweet, along with the photos she shared, was chosen as a "favorite." I hope that she somehow wins a seat as well, as she is always supportive of me, on and off the felt.
When and how did you learn to play poker?
That's a great question! I don't recall exactly when, but I've always had a love for poker. I first learned Seven Card Stud, playing in local home games, online and eventually, live poker rooms. Holdem came into the picture in the early 2000s.
What’s your poker experience like? What do you usually play? How often?
These days I focus on NL Holdem cash games and low to mid buy-in tournaments, and try to play 2-3 times a week. I've had some exposure to mixed games and wish to explore those further.
Carolyn Wayne
Have you ever played a WPT before? Any other major tournaments? Any major poker accomplishments?
My first (and only) WPT event was the 2022 Ladies at the Wynn. I did not cash, but I was surrounded by so many great players and it was a great experience.
Some of my recent successes include second place at the Wynn Fall Classic Seniors event, and earlier this year, I won a LIPS event at Resorts World, with an added prize of a WPT cruise.
What would it mean to you to win the freeroll for $1,000,000? How would it change your life? Would you make any big purchases?
Wow! Being recently retired, it would be a nice windfall, even after taxes! I would invest/save a portion and also share my good fortune with those close to me. I'm a fan of spending on experiences, like a dream trip to Italy for me and my guy, and a girls trip to Malta, as well as trips with my family back East. I would also set aside some funds for charity.
Connor Richards is a Senior Editor U.S. for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for three Global Poker Awards for his writing.
