Talking Stick to Host National Women’s Championship at End of February; AJ Rudolph Keynote Speaker
Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, recently played host to the MSPT Diamond Championship, which proved to be the tour’s largest stop ever outside of Las Vegas. Now, the venue will hold the 2nd Annual National Women’s Championship at the end of the month.
On Friday, Feb. 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. local time, there will be an Evening Keynote & Reception featuring light appetizers and a featured speaker, AJ Rudolph, who has played poker for more than 20 years and currently serves as the President of the Women’s Poker Association.
Rudolph, who lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two sons, uses her leadership skills and commitment to empowering women in poker to travel the country hosting Women’s Poker Workshops and teaching them how to apply the strategy and skills of poker to life. Professionally, Rudolph works as a Senior Product Manager in the software industry, and she stays deeply involved in the poker community as the Community Manager for JakaCoaching.com.
Day 1 of the $400 buy-in tournament will take place at 11:15 a.m. local time on Saturday, Feb. 28, and play down to 12%. The Day 2 finale will then take place at the same time on Sunday, March 1. Players will start with 20,000 in chips with an optional 10,000 add-on for a $10 staff appreciation. Levels will be 30 minutes. There will be unlimited entries/re-entries through the end of the second break.
There will be a $110 buy-in satellite on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11:15 a.m. local time. Players will start with 10,000 in chips, and one in five players will win a seat.
The 2nd annual tournament is expected to draw approximately 200 entries with an estimated prize pool of $69,000.
Tournament Structure
| Level | Big Blind Ante | Blinds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200 | 100/200 |
| 2 | 300 | 100/300 |
| 3 | 400 | 200/400 |
| 4 | 600 | 300/600 |
| 15-Minute Break | ||
| 5 | 800 | 400/800 |
| 6 | 1,000 | 500/1,000 |
| 7 | 1,200 | 600/1,200 |
| 8 | 1,600 | 800/1,600 |
| 15-Minute Break | ||
| 9 | 2,000 | 1,000/2,000 |
| 10 | 3,000 | 1,500/3,000 |
| 11 | 4,000 | 2,000/4,000 |
| 12 | 6,000 | 3,000/6,000 |
| 15-Minute Break | ||
| 13 | 8,000 | 4,000/8,000 |
| 14 | 10,000 | 5,000/10,000 |
| 15 | 12,000 | 6,000/12,000 |
| 16 | 16,000 | 8,000/16,000 |
