A poker tournament meant to celebrate women in the game took an unexpected twist when a 70-year-old man entered—and won.
David Hughes, a Florida resident, attended the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, where he joined a $250 no-limit Texas Hold ’em game. What made his win controversial? It was a women-only event.
70 year old Dave entered a World Poker Tour Ladies Event at the Seminole Hard Rock.
— KMart (@KevinRobMartin) April 30, 2023
The ladies + Internet gathered a $2k + bounty on him.
He went on to win it…he is the ladies event champion.
Thoughts on this whole thing? pic.twitter.com/B2JoBOtStB
Florida’s anti-discrimination laws meant Hughes couldn’t legally be turned away, even from a tournament explicitly designed to create a welcoming space for female players. To deter men from entering, the buy-in fee was set at $10,000, but female players received a 90% discount. Despite this, Hughes joined, played, and walked away with the $5,555 prize after defeating professional player Dayanna Ciabaton.
The backlash was swift. Many players and fans took to social media, questioning his decision to enter. Ebony Kenny, a professional poker player, even put a bounty on Hughes during the game, offering $300 to anyone who knocked him out—a gesture matched by others. “While we appreciate the dead money,” Ebony tweeted, “I wish men would understand what these events stand for.”
Playing the @WPT ladies event today, and Dave here is the only man. (Filmed w/permission!)
— Ebony Kenney | Poker & Purposeful Pleasure (@Ebony_Kenney) April 29, 2023
While we appreciate the dead money, I really wish men would get what these events stand for.
So I put a $300 bounty on his head and Tamra & Noah Piderit matched it. 🥳🥳
Let’s get him. pic.twitter.com/dXVZVlriAP
Others saw the incident as part of a broader issue. British pro Charlie Carrel commented, “It’s hilarious, but it sucks that it comes at the expense of a women-only space. Female-only spaces in poker are needed. Mixed poker environments can be horrendous for women.”
1) Hilarious that he won.
— Charlie Carrel (@Charlie_Carrel) April 30, 2023
2) It pokes fun at the idea that anybody can identify as a woman and be allowed to enter women's spaces.
It's a real issue that people are taking advantage of in many different areas, including sports, prisons, and changing areas. This has lead to… https://t.co/EKgnPgU9sO
Hughes’ actions reignited debates about the challenges women face in male-dominated spaces. Some felt his entry was a blatant disregard for what the event represented. “Why not let women have their moment?” one person asked. Another added, “This just highlights why events like these are necessary.”
I think it's genuinely pathetic, especially since the Ladies event is supposed to highlight the women in poker (since they are often overlooked).
— James Lewison (@squand4) April 30, 2023
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a man has won an all-female poker event. In a similar case, Abraham Korotki claimed victory at Atlantic City’s Borgata Poker Open, sparking similar outrage.
Lame. Why not just let the ladies have their event? Plenty of tournaments for him to play. But whatever.
— Jon Orlando (@jonorlando) May 2, 2023
The controversy highlights a deeper conversation about creating spaces where women feel respected and included in traditionally male-dominated fields. What do you think—was Hughes making a point, or was it a step too far? Let us know in the comments and share this story with your friends!
