The Woman Who Won a WSOP Event in 1982 and Was Erased
Vera Richmond made history at the 1982 WSOP, then vanished from official records — until now.
Vera Richmond won a World Series of Poker open event in 1982, making her the first woman to achieve that milestone — but her name was subsequently removed from official WSOP records, nearly erasing her place in poker history.
Why It Matters
The erasure of Richmond's win from official records represents a meaningful failure of historical accountability in one of poker's most prestigious institutions. For the competitive poker community, accurate record-keeping is not administrative minutiae — it defines legacies, influences Hall of Fame considerations, and shapes how the game's history is taught and discussed. According to Poker.org (October 2026), poker veterans Linda Johnson and Perry Green have come forward to corroborate Richmond's achievement, lending credible witness testimony to a claim that WSOP records alone had obscured. The story also arrives at a moment when gender equity in poker remains an active conversation, making Richmond's restoration to the record books symbolically significant beyond the historical curiosity.
Context
The 1982 WSOP took place at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, the tournament's longtime home, during an era when record-keeping was far less rigorous than today's digital standards. Women competing in open (mixed-field) WSOP events was uncommon at the time, which makes the subsequent disappearance of Richmond's win from official logs particularly notable. As of October 2026, Poker.org credits Linda Johnson and Perry Green as the sources revealing the full story behind how Richmond's name was lost and how efforts to restore it have unfolded.
What's Next
Advocates are pushing for official WSOP recognition to formally reinstate Richmond's 1982 result in the historical record. Whether the WSOP's current organizers act on this — and on what timeline — remains unconfirmed as of October 2026.
Gambling involves risk. Please play responsibly.
Related on WeeBet
Keep reading
WeeBet Weekly
The week's biggest market move, in 4 minutes.
Every Friday: the top Polymarket and Kalshi price shift, one regulatory story that actually matters, and one chart. No fluff, no promo. Free.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. We'll never sell your email.