The Ladies Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit stop at Choctaw is always a who's who of female poker crushers on the circuit, including many players who have won this very event before. The winner in the latest edition of the event should come as no surprise.
Pam Belote topped a field of 115 players, clinching the $250 Ladies Event in the early hours of Monday morning. The win earned Belote a $5,920 first-place prize and her eighth WSOP Circuit Ring.
Belote's eighth ring breaks a tie with Le Sengphet and gives Belote the most rings for any female player in the history of the WSOP Circuit.
Anything but irrelevant
Belote's eight circuit rings have come in less than six years, and she's a fixture at Choctaw Durant any time the WSOPC comes to town. She's humble about her accomplishments, however.
"I'm still irrelevant in the poker world," the eight-time WSOPC winner joked after Monday's win. "I've got a t-shirt to prove it. It says Ms. Irrelevant."
Belote was overwhelmed with emotion as the final cards ran out to clinch the win. She outlasted Bonnie Wetzel in heads-up play to break the Circuit Ring record.
"Just working hard," Belote said about how she acquired eight rings. "I literally travel everywhere trying to accomplish this."
"It would be lovely to see a ladies event at every circuit stop. They haven't had it every stop, but it would be really great to see one at every stop."
"I told myself that I would slow down if I won this one," she said in reference to her future plans. "And I probably will slow down somewhat, but I'm probably going to be at Tunica in a couple of weeks. Usually, I would plan my schedule out months in advance, but I haven't done that yet."
Belote also clinched a seat in the WSOPC Tournament of Champions for the fourth consecutive year.
Pam Belote's WSOP Circuit rings
2019 | WSOPC Choctaw | $130 Ladies |
2019 | WSOPC Tulsa | $250 Ladies |
2022 | WSOPC Tulsa | $250 Ladies |
2023 | WSOPC Choctaw | $200 Ladies |
2023 | WSOPC Council Bluffs | $600 NLH |
2023 | WSOPC Choctaw | $600 NLH |
2024 | WSOPC Southern Indiana | $300 Ladies |
2025 | WSOPC Choctaw | $250 Ladies |