Make Room for the Women

There are noticeably more women in this event than is the norm at the WSOP, and that’s a good thing, according to tournament director Mike Boyle.

“You’re onto something, and I’m glad to see it,” Boyle said. “Plus, I see faces that I’m not familiar with, so these are new players. It’s great.

“I’m looking forward to seeing one of the women win.”

There were multiple tables with more than one woman seated. A glance at the blue section of the Horseshoe Event Center shows as many women players as dealers.

Swears Among Early Chip Leaders

Katherine Porrello, who cashed in three events during last year’s WSOP, began the day at a table with two other women, Anzhela Vasylenko and Doris Herth.

“That is very unusual, because usually I’m the only one,” Porrello said. “It’s good. But it’s also tough. I tend to avoid women’s events because the girls don’t play around.”

The table sisterhood didn’t help Porrello, who moved from cash games to tournament poker a couple of years ago. She was knocked out and had to reenter the field.

“My jacks lost to kings and my kings lost to ace-queen,” she said. “What can you do?”