PokerStars x Poker Power Womens Bootcamp: Katie Hopkins Travels from Philly to Cyprus

Women Poker PokerStars EPT European Poker Tour EPTCyprus23 Katie Hopkins Game Poker

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!

FAQ

Can you play poker with 1 deck?

Can you play poker with 1 deck? The standard 52-card pack, sometimes with the addition of one or two jokers, is used. Poker is a one-pack game, but today, in virtually all games played in clubs and among the best players, two packs of contrasting colors are utilized in order to speed up the game.

Can you withdraw from WPT Global?

Can you withdraw from WPT Global? Before making your first withdrawal, WPT Global, as a licensed operator, requires new customers to verify their account by providing the necessary documentation. This includes: Documentation that proves your identity such as a driving licence or passport.

Are WPT Global deposit or withdrawal fees?

Are there deposit or withdrawal fees? No, WPT Global does not charge fees for depositing or withdrawing.

What are some famous roulette scandals and controversies throughout history?

What are some famous roulette scandals and controversies throughout history? 1. The Eudaemons – In the 1970s, a group of physics students at the University of California Santa Cruz used a computer to predict the outcomes of roulette games in Nevada casinos. They called themselves “The Eudaemons” and made significant profits before their operation was shut down. 2. The Ritz-Carlton Scandal – In 2004, a team of Eastern European gamblers used a laser scanner and a computer to predict where the ball would land on the roulette wheel at the Ritz-Carlton casino in London.