Three Inducted Into Women in Poker Hall of Fame

The Women in Poker Hall of Fame has chosen to induct three new members this year. The new inductees are professional poker player Kristy Gazes, as well as two women who currently serve as directors of poker operations at two casinos: Margie Heintz and Phyllis Caro.

Of the three, Gazes is likely to be the best known among poker fans. Gazes is one of the most successful female players in tournament poker history, having won over $1 million in tournament play. In her 20 years as a professional poker player, she has cashed 10 times at the World Series of Poker, as well as 11 times on the World Poker Tour. According to the Hendon Mob Database, Gazes is 19^th on the Women’s All Time Money List in terms of live tournament winnings.

Phyllis Caro is the wife of well-known poker pro and author Mike Caro. Phyllis Caro began her career in poker as a dealer back in 1979, and after her and Mike were married, she assisted in writing many of his famous books, including the well-known Book of Tells. In the 1980s, Caro became involved in the poker operations at the Bicycle Club in Bell Gardens, California. She rose through the ranks to become the Vice-President of casino operations, before moving on to work at Hollywood Park Casino, where she became the director of poker operations, the position she works in today.

Margie Heintz may not be a household name, but many longtime poker fans might recognize her – she was the first woman to work as a dealer at the World Series of Poker in 1977, and later dealt the televised final table that was broadcast on CBS. Today, Heintz is the director of poker operations at El Dorado Casino.

The Women in Poker Hall of Fame was founded in 2008 to honor the many contributions of women in the world of poker. The Hall of Fame was founded by the Ladies International Poker Series and is sponsored by Card Player Magazine.