Phil Hellmuth Juicing Queens & Cards Prize Pool By $25K; More Money Coming?

An epic weekend for women in poker is coming up at the end of August at the Champions Club in Texas.

From Thursday, August 27, through Sunday, August 30, women can look forward to a Tag Team event, a Maneater Bounty, Queens Wild Livestream Cash Game, Brat Attack Livestream Cash Game with BetRivers Ambassador Phil Hellmuth, and a $500 buy-in Main Event, which will see Hellmuth add $25,000 to the prize pool.

“We have a Queens and Cards poker tournament coming up at Champions Social Club August 27-30. I’m going to put $25,000 of my own cash into the prize pool,” Hellmuth said in a social media video. “It makes me really happy. I think it’s really important that women feel comfortable here playing in these tournaments. I think we need a lot more women in the game. We already have a lot of women who are great poker players, some of the greatest players.”

Play & Stay the weekend with an exclusive discounted room rate of $79 with the booking code: QUEENS. Whether you’re chasing trophies, bounties, or bragging rights, this weekend is for you!

PokerNews recently caught up with Hellmuth at the 2026 WSOP to talk more about the Queens & Cards event.

“About two years ago, I decided that promoting women in poker was the most important promotion that we need to do,” said Hellmuth. “When I signed with BetRivers, I said, ‘Look, every time I film Hellmuth’s Home Game, I want two or three or four women filming with me.’ I think the women should feel comfortable; they should have fun.”

In regard to adding $25,000 to the prize pool, Hellmuth said: “I called Brent Hanks at PokerGO Studio and told him I wanted to donate $25,000 of my own cash to a ladies-only prize pool. He suggested Champions Social, which was a great idea. We’re hoping some other people step up. I’ve heard someone else may put up another $25,000, and maybe a third person, so it could get up to $75,000.

“It’s my small way to support women in poker, so I’m looking forward to the Queens & Cards. It’s going to be fun. I’ll be there. In the days before, I’m going to be playing on a live stream, me and like six women, and every time they bust me, I’ll give them like $1,000 out of my pocket. This is just my own personal money that I thought would be good to donate and help encourage women to play poker.”

Hellmuth isn’t the only big name slated to attend the event. On a special “Ladies Episode” of the PokerNews Podcast, Caitlin Comeskey revealed that she will be attending the Queens & Cards event.

You can check out that episode here:

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, host of both the PokerNews Podcast & MPST Podcast Presented By PokerNews, and 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.