WSOP loot for Lisa

06/11/2009

Besting a field of 1 060 that included some of the top women players in international poker (see previous InfoPowa reports), a Las Vegas cash game specialist playing in her first live tournament has taken home the Ladies World Championship bracelet at the World Series of Poker, along with the winner's prize of $195 390.

Originally from Hawaii, but a Las Vegas resident since 2005, Lisa Hamilton (37) splits her time between running the family retail clothing business and playing in high stakes cash games. This year, she decided to give the WSOP and live tournaments a try and registered for Event 17 - the $1 000 buy-in Ladies NLHE World Championship. It has paid off handsomely, but it was a tough competition against some very talented and experienced players.

Lori Bender entered final table play with the chip lead, but after a frenetic four hours of poker it was Hamilton who held 70 percent of the chips and relegated Bender to a second place finish and $120 575 payday.

Mari Lou Morelli finished third and collected $78 132 in the three day tournament.