button in Safari"Shiina's Going to Win Again" says Former WSOP Ladies Event Champ
While this year’s World Series of Poker will feature the usual titans like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu, all eyes are on a new force in the poker world: Shiina Okamoto.
After securing historic back-to-back victories in the Ladies Championship, the quiet and unassuming star is quickly becoming the face of women's poker and an inspiration for many.
One person who knows exactly what it takes to navigate their way to victory in the Ladies Championship is 2017 champion Heidi May. As May prepares for her own return to Las Vegas this summer, she's got a bold prediction: write off an Okamoto threepeat at your peril.
Aussie Millions Booming
Nine years ago, May defeated a field of 718 players to win $135,098 for her first WSOP bracelet. This month she's been in Melbourne playing at the Aussie Millions, and had high praise for the event after its return following a six-year absence.
"It's an amazing tournament," she told PokerNews. "This year the numbers have been so good and everyone's really excited to be back."
Her two cashes at the Aussie Millions include a final table in 2018, finishing fourth in the Six Max Shot Clock for A$41,405.
"I remember that event, because it was the year after I won my first bracelet," she says.
Return to the WSOP
Emphasis, perhaps, on first bracelet, because after an absence of four years, the Tasmanian is heading back to Las Vegas. Poker has taken a backseat in her life of late, but she says she's ready for action once again.
"I've mostly been playing sport, and volunteering at an animal sanctuary. But I've had a good year of study and I'm ready to come back."
The study is one indication, as is the string of cashes on the Australian Poker League Poker Tour over the last two years. Her last visit to the WSOP came in 2022, with a best result a 14th place finish in Event #49: $2,000 No-Limit.
But May says she's ready for a big summer of poker.
"I've been playing a little bit, but not a huge amount," says May. "This summer I'm going to be playing most days. A full WSOP schedule — just small and medium events. I'll be heading out for the start in May and I'm not leaving until mid-July."
For May, she says it'll be like she's never been away.
"We've got the exact same house, we've got all the same friends. It's just going to be same old, same old."
May on Okamoto: "She's Really Good"
One event on her schedule for certain will be the Ladies Championship. Since May's last visit, the event has been dominated by Shiina Okamoto.
Runner-up in 2023, followed by back-to-back victories in the 2024 and 2025 Ladies Championships has elevated the profile of the Japanese player.
"When I sit down at the table, some ladies talk about me and say they're worried about me or they fear me!" Okamoto told PokerNews last year.
"Even before [last year], some players knew me because of my second-place finish and then my win in 2024. But after the second win, even more people know me!"
Okamoto's exploits haven't escaped May, who's tipping Okamoto for yet more success on poker's biggest stage.
"She's going to win three-in-a-row," says May. "For sure. She's really good."
Naturally, May would also be gunning for victory, aiming to become the second, after Okamoto, to win multiple Ladies Championships. If Okamoto threepeats, would May settle for second place?
"If I have to," she says with a smile. "I've always wanted to win an open event, so I'll just have to win something else!"
