Full Breakdown
WSOP 2026 Ladies Championship: Aubrey Williams' Runner-Up Finish Fuels Inclusion Debate
7/1/2026, 11:05:31 PM
Core Event
The 2026 WSOP $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship at the Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas drew 1,475 players, creating a $1,298,000 prize pool. Under Nevada gaming law and WSOP rules, eligibility is based on legal identification, allowing transgender women like Aubrey Williams to compete; men have entered in 2010 (Shaun Deeb) and a 15-man gatecrash in 2015. Skye Chen won the bracelet and $194,630; Williams finished second for $129,692 after a two-hour heads-up battle.
Key Figures & Groups
Aubrey Williams, 31, is a transgender woman with multiple WSOP Circuit rings and nearly $500,000 live earnings. Skye Chen, a former software engineer, claimed her first bracelet in only her second WSOP event. Defenders included streamer Patrick Leonard, Global Poker Award winner Caitlin Comeskey, streamer Keith Becker, and bracelet winner Liv Boeree.
Data & Statistics
Field: 1,475 entries; prize pool $1,298,000. Payouts: 1st $194,630; 2nd $129,692; 3rd $93,149. Final-table chip counts (big blinds): Emily Spencer 86, Skye Chen 45, Lisa Teebagy 45, Victoria Ailloud 32, Aubrey Williams 22, Caitlin Comeskey 15. Heads-up stacks: Williams 19,075,000; Chen 10,350,000.
On-the-Ground Reports
Williams reported friendly smiles and supportive signs at the table. The final table featured cheers such as “I love me a bit of Aubrey,” creating a welcoming atmosphere that contrasted sharply with hostile online commentary.
Official Statements & Responses
Williams said she entered because she identifies as a woman, not to make a political statement. WSOP officials confirmed that eligibility follows legal identification, a policy applied consistently. Supporters publicly asserted that “no one has a problem with her being here” and that “trans women are women.”
Criticism & Opposition
Anti-transgender users posted hateful messages on social media throughout the tournament, questioning the fairness of a transgender woman competing in a women-only event and reviving broader gender-inclusion debates.
Why It Matters / Impact
The event highlights poker’s reliance on skill, mathematics, and psychology rather than physical attributes, distinguishing it from many sports where gender divisions are contested. Williams’ high-profile finish may shape future policy and public perception of transgender inclusion in mind-sport competitions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Williams’ cumulative live earnings—one cites $369,125, another approximates $500,000. No data are provided on the field’s demographic breakdown or long-term effects of the controversy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s not like making a statement or anything. I’m just playing a tournament.” — Aubrey Williams, player
- “The Internet's Not a Real Place” — Aubrey Williams, player
- “No one has a problem with her being here,” — Caitlin Comeskey, player
- “I would not have imagined to come here and just suddenly win a bracelet on my first try, basically. It still feels surreal. I almost feel like I'm dreaming right now.” — Skye Chen, champion
What’s Next
Williams plans to remain active on the WSOP circuit, aiming for a future bracelet. Chen intends to celebrate with friends and consider further tournament play. The WSOP schedule continues with additional events, keeping the inclusion debate in view.
