Ladbrokes Poker European Ladies Championship, London, UK, 2 May 2008

Entrants: 52
Buy in: $2,000
Prize pool: $104,000

Final results:
1. Liv Boeree $30,000
2. Lenna Martyak $20,000
3. Shelley Rubenstein $16,000
4. Lise Moller $12,000
5. Jacqui Terry $10,000
6. Karen Muir $6,000
7. Bev Pace $4,0000
8. Karen Holland $2,000

The Ladbrokes Poker European Ladies Championship has enjoyed its biggest field ever with 52 runners. The women's only tournament was a veritable list of who's who in European ladies poker.

Runners included a number of top European female players including Annette Obrestad, Bev Pace, Michelle Orpe, Katherine Hartree, Liv Boeree and PokerPlayer contributor Shelley Rubenstein to name but a few.

All were playing for a first prize of $30,000 and a WSOP main event package, having either qualified online at Ladbrokes for $5 or 'buying-in' to the event for $2,000.

After two days of poker play, the tournament was won by Liv Boeree. In a matter of what seemed like minutes, she put paid to Dane Lenna Martyak's efforts to secure first place.

Liv said: "I'm over the moon with my win. We've all been treated really well by Ladbrokes Poker and the final table was fantastic. Coincidentally, I was recently in a debate about female only tournaments and although I did say I thought they were unnecessary this tourney has exceeded my expectations."

"The standard of play, the sense of camaraderie and community over the last couple of days has made this an event to remember!"

Lucy Sergides, Ladbrokes Poker Events Manager said: "The ELC is now firmly established as one of the most prestigious women only tournaments in Europe and we couldn't have wished for a better field."

"At the last count there were three top sponsored players from rival sites in the field and they all agree that the standard of play was excellent. It only goes to show that there is space on the poker circuit for well run women only tournaments such as The Ladbrokes Poker ELC."

Lucy continued: "The original concept of the ELC was to introduce women to live play. The tourney was created to act as a stepping-stone for ladies going on to play in mixed tournaments. I think we've succeeded in creating an environment where women can try on live play for size to see if it fits."

"The majority of the women have said that they enjoyed the experience so much they'll be back next year and all feel ready to play in live tournaments in general"