Bicknell outlasted a field of 954 female poker players to win her first WSOP bracelet and $173,922 in the Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship.
The young Canadian online cash game player had played over 15 WSOP events in the past but had never cashed prior to today.
“I guess this is pretty good for my first cash at the WSOP,” she joked after winning.
Bicknell had to deal with noted poker pro Amanda “MandyB” Baker at the final table but it was Baker who never got anything going. The former Full Tilt pro ended up going out in seventh for $20,572.
No Men in This Year's Ladies Event Thanks to Rule Change
This marks the first year that the field in the Ladies Event was entirely women. In the past a handful of males would enter the contest for various reasons every year.
The WSOP changed the tournament this year to make the buy-in $10,000 for men but still just $1,000 for women. The result was that not a single man ventured into the event.
“I don’t know why guys had to take this away from women in the first place,” said Bicknell. “I can’t respect that. I think it’s great they finally figured out a way to get the men out. “
Bicknell’s victory is the record 10th one for Canada at this summer’s WSOP. No other country besides the U.S. has multiple bracelets this year.
Prior to this year Canada only had 34 bracelets over the entire 43-year existence of the WSOP.
“I’m really excited to be a part of that group,” said Bicknell. “I love Canada.”
Here are the complete final-table payouts for the Ladies Championship:
1st: Kirsten Bicknell - $173,922 2nd: Leslie Haas - $107,616 3rd: Julie Mansacre - $67,331 4th: Shana Matthews - $48,871 5th: Connie Bruce - $36,078 6th: Eleanor Gudger - $27,045 7th: Mandy Baker - $20,572 8th: Chris Priday - $15,858 9th: Cindy Kerslake - $12,389Visit www.pokerlistings.com