An interview with Lupe

Q. How did PokerChix.com come to be?
ack in 2002 a group of online poker players got together to form a club called Victory Team. It was an open group and we played online all the time. Well, as it developed, it became Victory Poker and we'd have monthly championship tournaments. One for the guys and one for the ladies. We had a total blast playing together! These tournaments went on for a little over a year when someone brought up the fact that poker is a non-gender specific sport. So, the monthly championships were combined into one big tournament. And that was fine and all, but honestly? WE MISSED PLAYING WITH JUST US GIRLS!

So, I dabble on the web and I decided to open a group just for us ladies that had fun playing ladies only tournaments. In July of 2002, PokerChix.com was born.

As word was spread about our little online group, we grew and grew and now, we have the best forum for women on the net! A little of this, a little of that, and some of the most amazing women you'll ever meet!

Q. How did the LIPS Tour start?

Hmmm... well, the idea originated from watching the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational on television. I saw these really good poker players yet I didn't know who they were nor did I ever think I'd be in the same poker level as they were because they were pros. I also noticed there were no women in the main final tables in poker either. I knew some amazing players and I felt tt was simply the sheer numbers of women vs. men seperating women from being in the limelight.

I secretly felt like if women across the country knew of the fun we had at Poker Chix, they would want to come out to play too! That is when I drafted a plan and came up with a catchy name. Then called my friend who was the tournament director at the time of Ocean's Eleven Casino. I told her my plan and she encouraged me to get it done. So I put Ocean's Eleven on the spot and requested they be the first stop on the tour! hehehe Of course they said yes as they are pioneers in women's poker with the California State Ladies Championship that happens every year in September. I was sending out letters to casinos and Jerry Fuller from Canterbury Park in Minnesota also answered the call to host on the same weekend! So, our first weekend had two events in two parts of the country

Since then, we have had the good fortune to be embraced by the poker world. We are in our third season and in over 35 casinos nation wide along with several online poker rooms and our Grand Championship is one of the best ladies tournaments in the world!

Q. How long have you been playing poker?

I started in 2001 watching my honey Joe play stud at our local casino. Then after about six months of watching, he didn't take too kindly to my critiques of his play. So he handed me some money and told me to go play at my own table. Needless to say, that was the beginning of my poker life! lol

Q. What is your favorite game?

I learned on Stud H/L and now I play mostly cash games. I am addicted to Omaha H/L and HORSE!

Q. How do you prepare for a tourney?

Two shots of tequila and a lot of prayer.... you think I'm kidding? lol

Q. Do you play online poker?

I have played online poker pretty much daily since 2002! I love it. I was mostly a cash player but now I spend alot of time playing Sit & Go's!

Q. Do you have a preference of which gender to play against?

No... but I win more with open events because women are TOUGH!!!

Q. What was your most memorable win?

hmmm... well the one that sticks out in my mind was the one at one of our annual Victory Poker Reunions. We were down to the final four and they were: My honey who taught me poker... The Dean of Poker School Online Al Spath... The Founder of PokerInstructors.com Chris Alexander and me. hehehe

I took each one of them out to win my trophy, and my autographed copy of Super System 2 from Doyle himself! ahhh yes... one of lifes great moments. lol

By dizzi :)