Jen Shahade Wins Women’s Summer Festival Main Event

Over a decade ago, Jen Shahade signed on with PokerStars as a mind sports ambassador. Shahade, a Grandmaster in chess and an author, has done considerable work in the advancement of, and advocacy for poker, especially for women.

As a representative of the online poker site, Shahade posted poker tournament results of her own all over the world, including a deep run in the 2016 World Series of Poker main event. The primary element missing from Shahade’s resume was a major trophy to add to her collection.

That’s no longer the case. Shahade, the long-time PokerStars Ambassador, won the £400 main event of the 2025 PokerStars Women’s Summer Festival. Shahade outlasted a field of 193 entrants to win a first-place prize of $29,748, claiming the title and the Summer Festival trophy.

Ship it to Shahade. 🏆 @JenShahade is the Women’s Summer Festival Main Event champion. 👏

She defeated a field of 193 entries to take home a first prize of £22,200. pic.twitter.com/LRvdUzBv4G

— PokerStars LIVE (@PokerStarsLIVE) August 18, 2025

Even in victory, Shahade was more focused on the success of the festival itself.

“There is such an incredible atmosphere at this tournament,” said Shahade. “It was such a pleasure to play and be here, let alone win the thing! I’m thrilled, but more excited about seeing more and more women fall in love with the game.”

The seven-day poker festival also included an £1,100 high roller event, won by Bernadette Daley. Daley won her entry to the tournament via a Silver Pass earned at last year’s PokerStars Women’s Winter Festival, the predecessor to this event. Daley’s path from pure freeroll to victory earned her $15,255.

There were other tournaments over the course of a week of women-focused events, including a 50/50 tournament. The field maintained a balance of 50% as each entrant required a partner of the opposite gender.

Photo credit: Rational Intellectual Holdings Ltd. / Manuel Kovsca.