“Maria and her wife both play poker. Her wife will be in Las Vegas cheering her on — and now Maria gets to be at the table too.”

“22 years ago Juli told herself — when my daughter is grown, it will be my turn. She packed up her life and moved to Vegas alone to make it happen. Her turn is now.”

“A teacher who spent seven years studying poker after work, often the only woman at the table. She learned she doesn't need to change who she is to belong there.”

“Candy saw poker on TV in 2007 and thought — why is everyone not learning to get better at this? She bought into a $5 home game that summer and never looked back.”

“A dealer of over 20 years who has dealt thousands of hands and never once gotten to play the Ladies Event herself. This year, she will.”