Lupe
Lupe Soto
In 1996, I cut my teeth on the felt by watching my boyfriend play stud poker on date night. It wasn’t long before I was kicking him under the table and telling him how to play his cards. He told me to “go get your own table” and I did and haven’t looked back since.
I have a background as a professional therapist and social services administrator. However, once I took a real interest in becoming a poker industry professional and avid poker player, I left that world far behind.
I am the founder of many “firsts” in the poker industry.
In 2002, I opened Poker Chix, an online poker forum with an overwhelming positive response from women poker players. This led to the creation of the first women’s poker tour, Ladies International Poker Series – LIPS Tour. In 2008 I founded the prestigious Women in Poker Hall of Fame to showcase women who excel in the poker industry as a player or as an industry professional. The “WiPHoF” is embraced by the poker world and stands as one of the greatest honors in the industry.
I also started the first poker tour for seniors (players over 50 years of age) aptly named “Senior Poker Tour”. And as a tribute to all women poker players, I founded a global association – Women’s Poker Association, a 501c3 Non-Profit created to elevate and empower all women in poker.
If you were to ask me to describe myself, I would say “I am round, brown, and low to the ground.… With a passion for people and poker.”