We're used to seeing Kristen Foxen win, but her victory in Event #19: $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em made her the first woman to win a WSOP bracelet in an open event since Leo Margets in 2021.
Afterward, Foxen told PokerOrg, “I’m driven to be out here and do this to hopefully inspire other women to show you can do that. There’s nothing stopping you just because you’re a female.”
She wasn’t the last. Next came Michelle Chin in Event #58: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw.
Eleven years ago, Chin made history when she became the first woman to win a WSOP Circuit Main Event. This summer, she won her first WSOP bracelet. Yet while delighted to win, Chin used her interview to deliver a powerful message about how little has changed for women since she made history on the Circuit.
After her win, Chin told PokerOrg, “I realize there are very few women that play. I don’t blame them for not playing. Poker isn’t the greatest environment for women.”
Chin spoke about the language that was used at the table and ended by saying:
“It’s horrible, really horrible. You have guys who are really insensitive. They don’t mean it personally, but they say things at the table like, ‘You play like a pussy.’ Really? Why are you using that word to insult another guy? Or they’ll say, ‘You play like a little girl.’ I was a little girl. When you’re saying that close to me, do I just play bad?”
“It's very hard. When I’m sitting at the poker table I’m not trying to correct them because I’m trying to play poker and not let things affect my mood. And they don’t have bad intentions. It's just really awkward. It's just really uncomfortable.”
You can read more about what Chin had to say in her post-win interview.
A Ladies Championship to remember
The 2026 Ladies Championship was one of the highlights of the summer. A record 1,368 women entered, producing one of the best final tables of the series.
If you haven’t watched the final table, check it out on the WSOP YouTube channel.
Skye Chen was a deserving winner, but told PokerOrg afterward that she still doesn’t believe she belongs in the Main Event. She left town before it started, but promised to improve and return when she believes she's ready.
Her performance at the final table showed she already belongs.
But there was another side to the event. Aubrey Williams was subjected to constant abuse throughout her run to second place. It wasn't the first time Williams had experienced it, but the volume and overall toxicity surprised many across the poker world.
It’s worth noting that Williams was made welcome by all the women playing in the Ladies Championship, and the vast majority of abuse online came from men.
WSOP commentator Joe Stapleton was also targeted after his commentary on the Ladies Championship. He shared an important message on the Countdown Show, which deserves repeating here. It was from a fan named Paul:
“Last night you all became heroes in our home. The poker community showed my transgender daughter what I've been telling her for years – the real poker community welcomes all.
"I'm 55 years old, married to my wife for 29 years, and mostly conservative. When our daughter Luna became Luna five years ago, it was a world I knew nothing about, but Jenny and I know about love, and Luna is one of the most loving people on the planet.
"I also have a passion for poker. Luna does not yet play poker outside our home but she does watch the World Series of Poker with me. Last night we watched every hand and more importantly, at least in our family, we watched the reactions of those at the event. We heard the support for Aubrey. We witnessed that support not only in the room but also in the broadcast booth.
"Luna is a great mathematician, and I believe she will be great at the game. I hope she now has a better understanding of the poker community as well. And now Luna has seen that even on poker's biggest stage, everyone is welcome."
Yanting Jiang caps a landmark summer
There was still time for a fourth woman to win a bracelet at the 2026 WSOP.
Yanting Jiang is primarily a cash game player who had just a handful of tournament results to her name before entering Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship No-Limit Hold'em.
She won her first WSOP bracelet after coming out on top of a stacked final table that included Roberto Romanello, Maurice Hawkins and Punnat Punsri.
With four left, Hawkins was still alive and looking for his first WSOP bracelet. He knew who his biggest threat was.
“You’re a wild card, a wild card at the table!” Hawkins exclaimed to Jiang.
And the wild card came out on top with the biggest win of her tournament career – $1,159,182.
That left just one story still to be written: the Main Event.
The WSOP still hasn’t crowned the Main Event champion, but we know it’s going to be one of nine men.
The last woman standing was eliminated in 61st place, despite a new record of 431 women entering the Main Event (4.68% of the field and up from 369 in 2025).
Jen Shahade added some perspective: “Ugh!! With this record breaking % the odds of no women remaining with 60 players left is so low, like 6%. A woman getting heads up or winning is as likely!”
She added, “With these numbers a woman should FT around every other year and that’s the next trend I believe in!”
A landmark summer for women
Main Event results aside, it was certainly a big summer for women.
Four live bracelets, with three coming in open events.
There were also two online bracelet winners, as Sasha Mahabir and Krista Gifford both captured titles this summer. Gifford almost bridged both worlds, but finished runner-up in the $3,200 NL/Live Hybrid to Martin Kabrhel.
The bracelets will be remembered. The numbers are already in the history books.
But it’s also important to remember Michelle Chin’s words and Aubrey Williams’ experience.
Success and equality aren’t the same thing.
