The World Series of Poker $1,000 ladies championship kicks off on Thursday at the Horseshoe. Since the WSOP can’t ban players from events based on sex or gender, tournament officials charge men a $10,000 buy-in for the event.
This year, however, a man may have found a loophole. Albert Ng won an online poker satellite into the ladies event on WSOP online.
Ng topped a 50-entry filed while playing under the screen name “albiexchewy.” As a result, Ng won a $1,000 seat. It’s still unclear whether officials will force the WSOP Circuit winner to pay the additional $9,000.
In the aftermath, poker player Steph Chung said anyone could purchase a $1,000 seat through the WSOP+ app. Then, WSOP officials clarified that issue.
“Any male participant attempting to enter the ladies event through WSOP+ or at the cage will be required to pay an additional $9,000 or will be removed from the tournament,” WSOP officials posted on the series Twitter/X account.
Women Poker Players Criticize Ng
These tournaments are generally spread to encourage more women to play the game. The tournaments are supposed to provide a less-intimidating environment without any men in the arena.
However, this wouldn’t be the first time men have played in a women’s event. In May 2023, David Hughes topped an 82-entry ladies event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in Florida.
Women-only tournaments have grown in popularity over the last few years. There is even a women’s poker week each summer with several events scheduled for women throughout Las Vegas.
Several women and men were critical of Ng being part of the field and questioned whether he would be forced to pay the additional $9,000.
what are we doing here guys🙄 https://t.co/iuDRv3yyXj
— Angela Jordison (@Angelajordison) June 20, 2025
Based on the clarification from the WSOP post, it appears Ng will be forced to pony up the additional funds. But there is no concrete answer yet.
WSOP Twitter/X Czar Kevin Mathers said that winners of WSOP Online satellites receive the cash value for the seat. And are not directly entered into the event. Thus, it’s possible that Ng won’t be in the field when action gets underway on Thursday.
The standard procedure for @WSOPOnlinePoker Bracelet Event satellites is that it’s good for a $1,000 seat into a WSOP event.
If he wanted to play the Ladies event for some reason, he’d have to pay $10,000 in total.
From what I recall (and it may have changed over the years) ,… https://t.co/mWe1JLug0R
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) June 20, 2025
However, the client stated the satellite was specifically for the ladies event.
Ng has more than $293,000 in live tournament winnings including a WSOP Circuit ring at the Bicycle Casino in 2017 for $14,585. He also took down a $400 event at the Wynn Winter Classic in 2019 for $16,731, and won a $400 tournament at the Aria Poker Classic in 2019 for $13,000.
