Elevate, support and promote women in poker is all in a day’s work for Kerryjane Craigie
Inside PokerStars: Kerryjane Craigie talks about women's poker and her own journey in the game
PokerStars Ambassador for Women in Poker, Kerryjane Craigie, dials up the drama beautifully as she recounts her all-time favourite poker memory.
It’s the final table of the Women’s Event at UKIPT Brighton back in 2023.
She’s the short stack and the talent around her is, in her own words, “formidable”.
Surely, she hasn’t a hope?
“I channelled some inner strength and confidence and played my best game”, she offers with a knowing smile on her face.
Cometh the hour, cometh the woman.
That winning moment is something Kerryjane will never forget. “Raising a shiny spade as the winner is forever in my memory bank”, she recalls as we get together for our Inside PokerStars interview in late September 2025.
Women in Poker
Promoting Women’s Events and elevating women’s poker in general is something of a crusade for Kerryjane and as a testament to her tireless work in this area she was named PokerStars Ambassador for Women in Poker just last year.
“We hold the same mindset”, Kerryjane explains as regards the synergy between herself and PokerStars, “elevate, support and promote women who love the game and want the best platform for both live and online opportunities.”
PokerStars Ambassador for Women in Poker, Kerryjane Craigie
Through her day-to-day work as Director of Poker at The Hippodrome Casino in London, Kerryjane has solidified a partnership with PokerStars which has been hugely important in supporting women in poker.
“I started a women’s club 10 years ago and this is the biggest influence on me becoming an ambassador”, Kerryjane says. “I have encouraged and sponsored women into events over the years, held the hands of those that have never entered mixed playing arenas and stood firm and vocal on providing a safe and respectable play experience.”
She continues: “I sincerely believe that we have made progress and continue to do so. There are more women’s events than ever before, and they no longer tend to be the worst structure of an event. Behaviour at the tables has also improved and it’s the responsibility of all cardroom managers and staff to stand up to poor behaviour.”
As you’d expect, there’s more to be done according to Kerryjane, and, she has strong thoughts on this.
“Our next focus is to continue to grow the percentage of women playing in mixed fields and provide the tools and stepping stones in terms of buy ins to do so.”
Motivation
It’s clear as to what motivates Kerryjane to keep pushing for the best.
“I just love poker and working in it and everything that it brings keeps my spirit very much alive”, she enthuses. “I still get excited every aspect of it.”
Kerryjane is a regular feature at PokerStars live events
Where did this passion for poker come from?
“As clichéd as it sounds, I learned to play on PokerStars whilst living in the US”, she admits. “I moved from play money to micro stakes and into the live arena. My first real live tournament was at EPT London in 2009 in the Women’s event.”
Working with PokerStars has highlighted the very best of the game and its people, Kerryjane states.
“At my first EPT as an ambassador, or my first presentation in front of an audience in Leeds, each and every time, it has been the ‘every person’ that has been welcoming, supportive and encouraging.”
Kerryjane Craigie: “I just love poker and working in it and everything that it brings keeps my spirit very much alive”
She does give an honourable mention to two people who have been important in getting her to where she is today.
“I wouldn’t be where I am in the PokerStars family without the belief of Dave Curtis and my journey would not have been the same without the support and the amazing smile of Lizzie Wilson”, she notes.
Working
When she’s not representing PokerStars at live events, what does her average day at the Hippodrome Casino look like?
“First thing I do is check the results and emails from the day before. I look at the staffing and operating needs for the business, spend some time on the social media platforms and make plans for stream, staff interactions and anything else that needs attention.
“In addition to all that, I’ll also be involved in general business activity for The Hippodrome Casino. And, when I’m lucky enough, I’ll be representing PokerStars at the tables somewhere in the world.”
When she’s not busy working or playing poker, Kerryjane reveals that she’s a dab hand in the kitchen too (“I love to make up dishes without a recipe”) and indulges in quizzes and “anything competitive”, she admits. There’s also a love of travelling and seeing new parts of the world – “my passport is full of stamps”.
Kerryjane has championed women in poker for over a decade
But what of the future for Kerryjane? There’s only one place she hopes to spend more time, along with a request for a particular item.
“At the tables, playing, encouraging, a bigger trophy cabinet and a smile on my face for still being involved in something I love”, she adds, as we finish up our chat.
You can catch up on PokerStars Live at the Hippodrome HERE.
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