Grande Dame of Poker
Recognized as the Grande Dame of Poker by the World Series of Poker, Wendeen Eolis was the first woman to cash in the Main Event of the WSOPand the first woman to do so twice. She is a recipient of a commemorative chip issued by the WSOP in her honor for women's milestones; she counts seven cashes in WSOP events. A passionate activist for good sportsmanship and an ambassador for the game and responsible gaming, Wendeen has been a leading force in the industry for thirty years.
 Grande Dame of Poker |
Staying power!
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Wendeen was introduced to poker at the legendary Mayfair Club,where she met many of the games best players, fearlessly. In the 80's Wendeen began to tame a macho poker world as a leading pioneer for women in high stakes poker games and big buy-in tournaments.In the 90's she was a key player in effectuating poker room smoking bans in Atlantic City, at the WSOP, and the best known casino in Paris.
A member of the WSOP Players Advisory Council, in the oughts', she put on a full court press to combat abusive conduct in poker rooms and tournament competition at the WSOP. She also served as Chair of the Caesars WSOP International Players Advisory Council and as Chairman of the player-driven World Poker Association, producing an educational conference and a tournament in partnership with the WSOP.
Wendeen is a frequent keynote speaker for charitable and corporate poker events and supports numerous poker tournaments that include a charitable component. She donates her fees received from participation at these events to charity.
Unique Poker Personality
Wendeen's has frequently broken new ground, not only at the poker tables but also in print and broadcast journalism in the poker industry.
- First female poker player to commentate for WSOP (ESPN, 1987).
- Director and anchor of the first live poker tournament podcast (USPC, 1999).
- Guest commentator for WPO Inaugural Poker Open (2000) and subject of A&E Biography Special
- Co-anchor of filmed TOC, a pilot for the WPT (2001).
- Last woman standing in the WPT inaugural championship. (2003)
- First live internet commentary for the Donald Trump US Poker Championships at Trump Taj Mahal (2003(
- Celebrity Player WPT Ladies Night II Travel Channel (2004).
- WPT Inaugural Professional Poker Tour-elected and sponsored- (2004)
- Internet broadcast, last WSOP event (Binion's Horseshoe, 2005).
- Poker Royale Invitational GSN TV points leader (2005).
- Poker Night in America Invitational CBS Sports Network (2015,2016,2017)
- Sponsored for Queens of Heart team at the WSOP
Writing to Raise Awareness of Issues
Wendeen was a pioneer in investigative journalism for poker trade publications. Her first such piece appeared in Poker Digest (2000). Since that time, she has published more than 100 articles--profiles, business articles and investigatory pieces. She has written cover stories and penetrating pieces for most of the major poker publications.