The LIPS (Ladies International Poker Series) tour joins a growing number of poker events attempting to widen the appeal of poker to women. Poker has spread like wildfire, but it still has the reputation of being a male-dominated game. Competitions like GSN's "Battle of the Sexes" and the LIPS Tour are looking to dispel that stereotype, demonstrating that more and more women are falling for poker.

In contrast to largely professional events such as "Battle of the Sexes" and the World Series of Poker's (WSOP) Ladies' Event, LIPS aims to find and cultivate tomorrow's poker pros. The LIPS Tour, which debuted in the summer of 2004, spun off of PokerChix.com, the internet's first online poker club aimed exclusively at women. Since its first event, over 1,500 women have taken part in LIPS tournaments.

The tour is considered a boost for women-oriented competitions, featuring a somewhat higher buy-in. Although the LIPS Tour's main audience is unknown poker talents, poker celebrities including Susie Isaacs, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Kathy Liebert have participated in LIPS happenings. The winner of the LIPS Tour will gain entry to the Ladies' Event at the World Series.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Friday, 18 March 2005