Wendeen H. Eolis Settles WPT Dust-Up
Posted on April 22, 2008
Filed Under Las Vegas
Wendeen H. Eolis, World Poker Association Chairman, playing the 2007 WSOP
Imagine holding a championship poker event at a major Las Vegas casino and nobody came to play. It wasn't quite that bad last week when the World Poker Tour (WPT) held the 2008 Ladies Championship at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas; but, the 150 players in the events did not include some of the world's best known lady poker players.
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Susie Isaacs, two time WSOP bracelet winner, playing the 2007 WSOP
Led by two time WSOP champion Susie Isaacs, a group of female players cancelled their entry in the event after learning the WPT would be substracting 15% from the prize pool as a mandatory donation to event partner, Susan G. Koman for the Cure. The players indicated they were not opposed to the charity and have supported its goals through donations of cash and time; but, a "mandatory donation," without regard for the player's financial circumstances was unacceptable.
Enter the World Poker Association's Chairman, Wendeen H. Eolis, to settle the matter and smooth the feathers of those involved in the controversy. Eolis explains, "The furor has centered on the WPT's insensitivity to the varying financial means of 'working players' and more broadly on the decision to compel a charitable donation in an event labeled as a championship." In typical Wendeen H. Eolis fashion, she skips the minions and goes right to the top, to Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of World Poker Tour Enterprises.
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of World Poker Tour Enterprises
Following their dialogue, Mr. Berman issued the following statement, ""The WPT has re-evaluated its decision to make a charitable donation a condition for participation in the WPT Ladies Championship." He added, "In the future there will be no such requirement in a WPT championship event." As an added bonus, Eolis signed up Berman as a professional member of the WPA.
Congratulations to super negotiator, Wendeen H. Eolis for bringing this to a quick solution. Congratulations to Lyle Berman for taking the high road and retracting the mandatory requirement and a final congrats to Susie Isaacs and associates for having the fortitude to stand by their principles and demand the righting of a wrong.
Comments
-
Featured Room
Cake Poker -
About
WSOP Info is your source to online poker news and information regarding the WSOP 2008. The World Series Of Poker is the largest Poker event in the world.
-
Blogroll
- Official World Series Of Poker Website
- PokerBlog.com - The Professional Poker Blog
- Prof’s Vegas Poker Blog - Poker and Gaming News from Las Vegas Nevada