Published on: June 29, 2026, 06:56h.

Updated on: June 29, 2026, 06:57h.

• Aubrey Williams earned $129,692 after securing second place in the WSOP Ladies Event, marking her largest live cash win so far.
• Williams explained her participation was due to her identity as a woman, while her notable performance sparked intense discussions online, drawing both support and criticism from fellow players.
• This piece explores the WSOP regulations and Nevada laws that permitted Williams to compete, including historical instances of men entering the Ladies Event.

Aubrey Williams, a transgender woman, claimed second place in the World Series of Poker Ladies Event last night, winning an impressive $129,692 after a challenging two-hour heads-up match against Syke Chen.

Video: Aubrey Williams showcases her skills at the World Series of Poker Ladies Championship final table. (Source: World Series of Poker/YouTube.)

In an interview with PokerNews, Williams emphasized that her goal was not to make a political statement, but simply to participate as a woman: “I’m a woman, so I’m here to play in the women’s event … it’s just a tournament for me.”

However, her participation sparked considerable debate online, leading to some hostile reactions. Williams, a 31-year-old from Pennsylvania, candidly shared that she avoids social media, remarking that the online sphere is “not a real place.”

“Everyone in the venue supports her presence, and if you’re using her as a means to provoke anger for your own trivial online agenda, expect a backlash,” commented fellow competitor Caitlin Comeskey on X.

An Accomplished Competitor

This was far from Williams’ first experience in high-stakes poker. She is a skilled player with a notable history of online tournament success, boasting nearly $500,000 in live tournament earnings, as per the Hendon Mob Database. Earlier this year, she took home $52,540 by winning the Borgata Winter Poker Open’s $1,000 Hybrid Championship in Atlantic City.

During her time there, she shared insights with Poker.org about her passion for poker and the personal challenges connected to her transition.

Indeed, state gaming laws typically prohibit casinos from denying entry based on gender, which explains past instances of men entering the Ladies Event, including notable entries like Shaun Deeb in 2010. The following year, 15 men joined the tournament, one of whom made it to the final table.

Women’s Exclusive Event Adjustments

In an effort to deter male participation, the WSOP implemented a “Ladies Night” discount in 2014, where women paid the standard $1,000 buy-in while men faced a fee of $10,000.

Williams paid the $1,000 fee, as her driver’s license classifies her as female.

“The essence of ladies’ events is to create a unique opportunity to engage in poker from a feminine perspective, something many women, especially amateurs, appreciate,” noted WSOP bracelet holder Liv Boeree on X.

“From my own experience, it offers a social atmosphere that other tournaments often lack. Aubrey, who embodies a distinctly feminine energy, fits beautifully into that environment.”