PokerStars x Poker Power Womens Bootcamp: Katie Hopkins Travels from Philly to Cyprus
Earlier this year, PokerStars announced that an exciting program created for women to learn more about poker would return in 2023, and it will soon culminate on Oct. 18 at European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus with a Showdown tournament, which will award a full package to EPT Prague in December
The Womens Bootcamp, in partnership with Poker Power, is aimed at beginners who will then be mentored by PokerStars ambassadors including Jen Shahade, Lali Tournier and Georgina GJReggie James.
The final recruits battled it out in Home Games Tournaments, where the winners were awarded the chance to travel to Cyprus and compete in the ultimate Showdown. In preparation for that event, PokerNews wanted to profile some of the women wholl be battling for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Here’s a look at some of the women already profiled as part of the upcoming Showdown:
Meet the Women of the PokerStars x Poker Power Womens Bootcamp Showdown
Q&A w/ Katie Hopkins
Hailing from the suburbs of Philadelphia where she resides with her husband, Brian, and their dog, Josie, and cat, Cheeto, 36-year-old Katie Hopkins. She studied finance at the University of Notre Dame, where she was a scholarship athlete on the swim team. After two years working in corporate finance, Katie went back to school full-time and obtained her JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her MBA from Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.
She is an Associate General Counsel at Nasdaq, focusing on securities law. Katie joined Nasdaq last year after spending 6 years at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
PokerNews recently caught up with Hopkins to get her thoughts on the upcoming Showdown.
PokerNews: When and how did you learn poker; or how were you introduced to the game?
Katie Hopkins: I was first introduced to poker because of the womens network at Nasdaq and a womens golf group I was involved with (Fore the Ladies). Both had intro to poker sessions with Poker Power that I attended.
What inspired you to partake in the Womens Bootcamp?
After being introduced to poker through the Poker Power introductory sessions, I started following Poker Power on Instagram. When I saw the boot camp opportunity, I thought it was the perfect chance to dive in and learn poker because, at the time, I was laid up (on crutches and in a boot) due to a stress fracture in my foot. My normal hobbies of running and doing triathlons were off the table.
How did you feel about the experience? Do you feel it improved your game?
The boot camp was an incredible experience. I learned a ton and met amazing folks throughout the experience. Without the class, I dont think I would have felt comfortable sitting down at a poker table and playing.
What was your favorite part of the boot camp?
Its hard to pick a favorite part of the boot camp but I think the trip and opportunity to play in Cyprus might just take the cake! During the classes, I really enjoyed getting our feet wet with the poker math and also loved hearing tips from professional poker players.
Did you learn anything that youll be able to apply to your real life?
Learning how to play poker and participating in the boot camp has taught me important skills that will prov useful in my career and life in general. They have given me confidence and taught me to take risks but also to exercise discipline and know when to fold.
PokerStars Continues to Encourage Women
Were delighted to be joining forces with Poker Power for the second year and continue developing our commitment to encouraging women into poker," said Rebecca McAdam Willetts, PokerStars’ Director of Partnerships, PR, and Consumer Engagement. “We are doubling the length of our Bootcamp to eight weeks, and we will not only teach women how to play poker, but also provide them with skills that can be applied to their daily lives.
According to research by PokerStars in the United Kingdom, 42 percent of women who play poker believe the game brings improved focus and concentration while 38 percent believe it could improve their ability to make decisions. Despite this, over half of women surveyed (55 percent) said they feel that poker is not inclusive.
Learn More About the Women’s Bootcamp!
Tags
Related Tournaments
FAQ
Can you play for real money on WPT Global?
Can you play for real money on WPT Global? At WPT Global, we bring our wealth of experience running the best poker games in the world to online poker, offering the opportunity to take on the challenge of real money poker games on safe, secure tables designed for all players from beginner to expert.
Can you play WPT global on phone?
Can you play WPT global on phone? Create an account to join the WPT Global poker community. Choose your poker nickname, fill in a few details and verify your email, then you’re all set. Download poker to your PC, Mac, mobile or tablet and start playing the games you love in minutes.
What role did roulette play in popular culture such as movies and literature?
What role did roulette play in popular culture, such as movies and literature? Roulette has played a significant role in popular culture, appearing in numerous movies, books, and other forms of media. In movies, roulette often appears as a symbol of glamour, luxury, and risk-taking. One of the most famous examples is the classic film “Casablanca,” where the game is prominently featured in several scenes. In the movie, the character Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) runs a popular nightclub and casino in Casablanca, Morocco, where roulette is one of the main attractions.
Are there deposit or withdrawal fees?
Are there deposit or withdrawal fees? No, WPT Global does not charge fees for depositing or withdrawing.
When and why was the double zero added to the American roulette wheel?
When and why was the double zero added to the American roulette wheel? The double zero was added to the American roulette wheel in the mid-19th century. The exact year is not clear, but it is believed to have been added around the 1860s. The reason for its addition was to increase the house edge, making the game more profitable for the casino. At the time, gambling was not regulated in the United States, and casinos were free to set their own rules and payouts.
