Women Enjoy Unprecedented Run at 2018 L.A. Poker Classic

The 2018 L.A. Poker Classic took place at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles from January 09 to March 01, with 67 tournaments featured during its two month-long run. This year also marked the competition’s 25th anniversary, and as one might imagine it proved a hugely popular affair as players from all around the country participated in the hope of walking away with one of its coveted Remington Trophies, named after the famous artist who specialized in ‘Old West’ themes during the 19th century.
This year, however, there was even more reason for its organizers to celebrate than ever before after a total of five women took down events at the Commerce, despite ladies on average representing just 5% of its tournament fields. Commenting upon their successful performances, Justin Hammer, Tournament Coordinator at Commerce Casino, stated:
“Matt Savage and I strive to make poker fun again. Part of that is trying to create an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for all of our players. Seeing so many women do well is great news for us because we hope it will encourage more and more players to come out and play the game we all know and love.”
One of the women winning a title at this year’s L.A. Poker Classic was seasoned professional Carol Fuchs who took down the $570: Omaha 8-or-Better for $14,205. As a result, she now increases her career earnings to $385,024, with her biggest score coming in 2015 after winning the WSOP $1,500 Dealers Choice Six Handed event for $127,735.
Another poker veteran also recording a victory was Shirley Rosario who triumphed at the $570 Big O/Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event for $11,975. The win now boosts her career earnings to $494,349, of which $146,522 is accounted for by a 4th place finish at the WSOP $10,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo in 2014.
For the remaining three amateur women players, their wins at the L.A. Poker Classic represented the pinnacles of their poker careers so far, with Sangduan Dorsey winning the $350 Triple Stack for $24,570, Mesha James the $1,100 Limit Hold’em for $19,530, and Gina Hecht the $570 H.O.R.S.E. for $10,015.
The L.A. Poker Classic concluded on March 1st, heralding the start of National Women’s Month which was declared by Congress back in 1987. Commenting upon her experience at the recent poker series, Gina Hecht explained:
“I was blown away to see how many women won events in the L.A.P.C.. I’m not sure this figure is correct, but it seems in the mixed games the ratio is maybe 10 to 1, with the number of men far exceeding the women. In this time of women claiming their strength, it added to the significance of the win and made it that much sweeter.”