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Aubrey Williams Brushes Off Hate Amid Deep Run in WSOP Ladies Championship
Aubrey Williams, a transgender woman, navigated social media backlash to make a deep run in the WSOP Ladies Championship, asserting her place in the event.
TL;DR
Aubrey Williams, an online poker pro with extensive live earnings, advanced to the final table of the 2026 WSOP Ladies Championship. Despite facing online criticism regarding her participation, Williams maintained that she is rightfully a competitor in the women's event, receiving support from fellow players.
Aubrey Williams, a transgender woman and established online poker pro, made a noteworthy journey to the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Ladies Championship in late June 2026. Heading into Day 3 tied for the chip lead, Williams' presence in the tournament garnered attention, particularly within some social media circles.
Williams, with career live tournament earnings of $369,125, stated that her decision to play in the Ladies Championship was not a political statement. She explained, "I'm a woman, so I play in the women's event... I'm just playing a tournament." Despite some online discourse, Williams noted that her fellow players at the tables were welcoming.
Her poker career spans back to the 'Poker Boom' era, playing in middle school and later in college. Williams transitioned to full-time online poker around 2019, securing two WSOP Circuit rings in online events. Her achievements include winning a $40,000 guaranteed No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack event and the WSOP PA Circuit Main Event for $19,219.
A significant victory for Williams came earlier in 2026 at the Borgata Winter Poker Open $1,000 Hybrid Championship, where she earned $52,540. Following this win, she observed transphobic comments on social media, yet emphasized the disconnect between online negativity and her positive experiences with players in live settings, remarking, "The internet's not a real place."
Support for Williams during her WSOP run came from several poker professionals, including streamer Patrick Leonard and Global Poker Award winner Caitlin Comeskey, who publicly defended Williams against online detractors. Comeskey, who also played in the Ladies Championship, asserted, "No one has a problem with her being here."
Williams' deep run concluded with her reaching the final table, demonstrating her skill and focus amidst external commentary. Her participation alongside other notable players like Lexy Gavin-Mather, Jessica Teusl, and Cherish Andrews highlighted a competitive field in the 2026 WSOP Ladies Championship.
