Kerryjane Craigie: Moving the Needle — Together
Table Of Contents
PokerStars Ambassador Kerryjane Craigie has spent 2025 watching meaningful change take shape across the game. From increased female representation in mixed fields to stronger communities and better-supported events, the past twelve months have offered tangible signs of progress, even if that progress has come quietly.
In this end-of-year reflection, Craigie shares why 2025 feels different and why the momentum building now makes her genuinely optimistic heading into 2026.
As we reach the closing stretch of 2025, I find myself genuinely optimistic about the direction poker is heading, particularly for women in the game. Progress for us is rarely loud or sudden. It’s incremental, sometimes frustratingly so. But this year, it feels undeniable: we’ve taken a step forward.
Quiet Progress, Real Change
2025 has been a standout year for women’s achievements across the poker landscape. Yes, there have been trophies or headlines, but in something arguably more important: presence. Women’s clubs, groups, study collectives, and community-driven initiatives feel stronger and more active than ever. From grassroots meet-ups to international events that have moved away from the one side event in the corner of the room, there’s a growing sense of support, shared ambition, and visibility. That matters. It changes rooms, conversations, and confidence.
What’s been especially encouraging this year is that progress hasn’t been confined to one tour, one country, or one standout performance. Across the calendar, women have been winning, final-tabling, and going deep in open fields, while organisers and operators have continued to invest in women-focused events that feel better supported and better integrated than ever before. Just as importantly, more women are arriving prepared — studying, travelling, and backing themselves in tougher line-ups.
That shift in intent and confidence is tangible, and it’s changing expectations at the table.
Showing Up and Going Deep
I was reminded of this just last week at the PokerStars Open in Cannes. What struck me most wasn’t only the beautiful location, but the noticeably higher female representation in the mixed fields of all buy-ins. Not segregated. Not token. Just women showing up, competing, and owning their seat at the table. And that's exactly where they should be.
On a personal note, the trip gave me plenty to smile about. Finishing third in the women’s event was incredibly satisfying, but equally meaningful was cashing 137th out of 1,202 entries in the Main Event. Results are never the full story, but moments like these reinforce why we put in the work and why it’s important for women to be seen going deep in mixed fields, not just women-only events.
As the year winds down, I’m finishing on a high. I'm heading into the New Year energised, encouraged, and motivated. Poker, at its best, is an endless education, and I hope 2025 has been successful, enjoyable, and instructive for you too, whatever form that took.
Momentum Into 2026
Now, the focus shifts to 2026.
I’m proud of how this year has felt — and even more excited about what we’re building next.
The momentum is there. The foundations are stronger than they’ve been before. But progress only continues if we keep pushing — supporting each other, showing up, and refusing to shrink our ability and our ambitions.
I end this year grateful for the progress we’ve made and committed to helping carry it forward. Let’s move the needle just a little more, even a lot more — together in 2026
I’m confident we can. Happy Holidays!
