“Shiina’s Going to Win Again” says Former WSOP Ladies Event Champ

Whereas this yr’s World Sequence of Poker will characteristic the same old titans like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu, all eyes are on a brand new pressure within the poker world: Shiina Okamoto.

After securing historic back-to-back victories within the Women Championship, the quiet and unassuming star is rapidly changing into the face of girls’s poker and an inspiration for a lot of.

One one that is aware of precisely what it takes to navigate their technique to victory within the Women Championship is 2017 champion Heidi Might. As Might prepares for her personal return to Las Vegas this summer season, she’s bought a daring prediction: write off an Okamoto threepeat at your peril.

Aussie Tens of millions Booming

9 years in the past, Might defeated a area of 718 gamers to win $135,098 for her first WSOP bracelet. This month she’s been in Melbourne taking part in on the Aussie Tens of millions, and had excessive reward for the occasion after its return following a six-year absence.

“It is a tremendous event,” she advised PokerNews. “This yr the numbers have been so good and everybody’s actually excited to be again.”

Her two cashes on the Aussie Tens of millions embrace a ultimate desk in 2018, ending fourth within the Six Max Shot Clock for A$41,405.

“I keep in mind that occasion, as a result of it was the yr after I gained my first bracelet,” she says.

Return to the WSOP

Emphasis, maybe, on first bracelet, as a result of after an absence of 4 years, the Tasmanian is heading again to Las Vegas. Poker has taken a backseat in her lifetime of late, however she says she’s prepared for motion as soon as once more.

“I’ve principally been taking part in sport, and volunteering at an animal sanctuary. However I’ve had an excellent yr of research and I am prepared to return again.”

The research is one indication, as is the string of cashes on the Australian Poker League Poker Tour during the last two years. Her final go to to the WSOP got here in 2022, with a greatest outcome a 14th place end in Occasion #49: $2,000 No-Restrict.

However Might says she’s prepared for an enormous summer season of poker.

“I have been taking part in slightly bit, however not an enormous quantity,” says Might. “This summer season I will be taking part in most days. A full WSOP schedule — simply small and medium occasions. I will be heading out for the beginning in Might and I am not leaving till mid-July.”

For Might, she says it’s going to be like she’s by no means been away.

“We have got the very same home, we have all the identical buddies. It is simply going to be usual, usual.”

Might on Okamoto: “She’s Actually Good”

One occasion on her schedule for sure would be the Women Championship. Since Might’s final go to, the occasion has been dominated by Shiina Okamoto.

Runner-up in 2023, adopted by back-to-back victories within the 2024 and 2025 Women Championships has elevated the profile of the Japanese participant.

“Once I sit down on the desk, some girls speak about me and say they’re apprehensive about me or they worry me!” Okamoto advised PokerNews final yr.

“Even earlier than [last year], some gamers knew me due to my second-place end after which my win in 2024. However after the second win, much more folks know me!”

Okamoto’s exploits have not escaped Might, who’s tipping Okamoto for but extra success on poker’s largest stage.

“She’s going to win three-in-a-row,” says Might. “For positive. She’s actually good.”

Naturally, Might would even be gunning for victory, aiming to change into the second, after Okamoto, to win a number of Women Championships. If Okamoto threepeats, would Might accept second place?

“If I’ve to,” she says with a smile. “I’ve all the time needed to win an open occasion, so I am going to simply need to win one thing else!”

Based mostly in the UK, Will began working for PokerNews as a contract dwell reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time employees in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor.

He graduated from the College of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He additionally holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports activities Journalism.