Poker players Lisa Greer and Karen Balbi have won a coveted Ladies MET Travel Credit, Drinks Packages, VIP Bracelets, a Players Party and tickets for the Ladies First event hosted by PokerStars newest Ambassador Kerryjane Craigie which boasts a €10,000 guaranteed prize plus an added Women’s Winter Festival Package!
Lisa Greer: A Seasoned Competitor Ready for More
Lisa Greer (winner picture below), who hails from Hertfordshire, is thrilled about the gal pal’s upcoming poker adventure to Malta. “I’m amazed,” she says, recalling her surprise upon learning she had won the package. “I entered the competition never expecting to win, so it was a real shock when I got a message saying congratulations!” Lisa has a special connection to the Malta Poker Festival, having competed there previously in April 2023.
Lisa, who will be celebrating her 42nd birthday just before the festival, loves the game and had her biggest live cash in August at the APAT RoE NLHE/PLO World Championship for £2,216. Her poker journey started in 2016 at Aspers Casino, where she played her first live event. Since then, Lisa has grown into a confident player, running local tournaments and events in her community, including the Poker Ryder Cup—a friendly competition between East Herts and Essex, where Lisa and Karen’s club have been champions for three consecutive years.
Lisa’s competitive spirit is also evident in her recent appointment as captain of the APAT England team for 2024, an honour she is incredibly proud of. “It’s awesome, especially as a woman in poker,” she notes, joking that her nephew asked if she gets paid like footballer Declan Rice for representing England. While she won’t be paid, Lisa is eager to lead her team to victory next year.
In Malta, Lisa plans to focus on tournaments, with her Ladies First entry included in the package being a great way to start. In addition to the Ladies Event, Lisa plans to play some side events, particularly the Betsson One Bullet event. And she also hopes to explore a bit more of the island this time, having only managed a quick trip to Valletta on her last visit.
Karen Balbi: Excited to Be Back at the Tables
Karen Balbi (pictured above), from Cambridgeshire is also celebrating her 42nd birthday this month, shares Lisa’s excitement about their upcoming poker adventure in Malta.
I’m very excited and still can’t believe it,” she says. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to enjoy it and play well.” For Karen, this will be her first poker festival outside of the UK, and it’s an opportunity she’s been looking forward to. Though she’s been focused on her career as a Sustainability Innovation Consultant and raising her two children, she is eager to return to the tables after a long break.
Karen’s poker journey began in 2013 when she joined her then-boyfriend at a few events, sparking a love for the game that has led to several tournament successes. Her best live poker result came in 2019, when she finished fifth in the Grosvenor Deepstack, earning £2,200. Karen has bagged some solid wins, including an APAT League title in 2018, which granted her entry into the prestigious GUKPT Main Event.
As she prepares for her trip to Malta, Karen is most excited about reconnecting with the poker community, which is how she first met Lisa Greer. “I’m very happy Lisa tagged me in the competition,” she says, adding that they plan to make the most of their 5* trip. Karen will play the Ladies First event and hopes to play a few sides including the Hearts of Queens Halloween tournament.
A Friendship Forged Through Poker
Karen and Lisa’s shared love of poker has fostered a strong friendship, making their trip to the Malta Poker Festival even more special. Both women are passionate about the game, with numerous results between them, but this opportunity to compete on an international stage is a new adventure for Karen.
“This will be Karen’s first international poker festival and what an amazing way to get to go away VIP style,” says Lisa, adding that she hopes Karen enjoys the experience as much as she has. Their mutual support and camaraderie are a testament to the poker community’s tight-knit nature, and they’re both determined to make the most of their time in Malta.
As they prepare to represent their club, East Herts, on the international poker scene, Karen and Lisa are eager to see how far they can go. Whether they’re playing side events, soaking up the Maltese sun, or enjoying the camaraderie of the poker community, one thing is certain: these two gal pals are ready to take on the tables at the Malta Poker Festival, with hopes of bringing home more than just memories.
Good luck, Karen and Lisa! And Happy Birthday!!
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