2017 WSOP Women's Champion Heidi May boldly predicted that Shiina Okamoto will achieve a three-peat at the WSOP in the summer of 2026, and shared her plans to return to Las Vegas.
Although this year's World Series of Poker will still feature stars like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu, all eyes are on a new force in the poker world: Shiina Okamoto.
After winning two consecutive Women's Championship titles and making history, this quiet and unassuming star is rapidly becoming a representative figure in women's poker and inspiring countless people.
2017 champion Heidi May knows exactly what it takes to excel in the Women's Championship. As May prepares to return to Las Vegas this summer, she makes a bold prediction: Don't underestimate Okamoto's potential three-peat.
Aussie Millions is thriving
Nine years ago, May beat out a field of 718 players to win $135,098 ($), earning her first WSOP gold bracelet. This month, she traveled to Melbourne to compete in the Aussie Millions tournament, which returned after a six-year hiatus, and spoke highly of the event.
"This is a fantastic tournament," she told PokerNews. "The turnout this year has been excellent, and everyone is incredibly excited about its return."
Her two winning records at Aussie Millions include a final table appearance in 2018 where she finished fourth in the six-handed timed event, winning A$41,405.
"I remember that event because it was a year after I won my first bracelet," she said.
Return to WSOP
Perhaps the focus is on her "first" gold bracelet, as the Tasmanian is set to return to Las Vegas after a four-year absence. Poker has recently taken a backseat in her life, but she says she's ready to make her move again.
"I spend most of my time exercising and volunteering at an animal shelter. But after a year of hard work and studying, I'm ready to come back."
Learning is one indication, as is her string of wins on the Australian Poker League Tour over the past two years. Her last appearance at the WSOP was in 2022, where her best result was a 14th place finish in Event #49: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em.
But May says she's ready for a big summer of poker.
“I played a little, but not much,” May said. “I’ll be playing most of the summer. A full WSOP schedule—just small and mid-course events. I’ll be leaving in early May and staying until mid-July.”
For May, she said it felt like she had never left.
"We have exactly the same houses, exactly the same friends. Everything will be the same."
May on Okamoto: "She is truly amazing."
The women's championship is definitely on her confirmed schedule. Since May's last appearance, the tournament has been dominated by Shiina Okamoto.
From finishing as runner-up in 2023 to winning consecutive titles at the Women's Championships in 2024 and 2025, this boosted the Japanese player's profile.
"When I sit at the poker table, some women talk about me, saying they're worried about me or afraid of me!" Okamoto told PokerNews last year.
"Even before (last year), some athletes knew me because of my runner-up finish and my victory in 2024. But after my second win, even more people know me!"
Okamoto's outstanding performance did not escape May's notice, and she predicted that Okamoto would achieve even greater success on the biggest stage of poker.
"She'll win for the third year in a row," May said. "Without a doubt. She's really amazing."
May will certainly strive for victory, aiming to become the fifth woman to win multiple women's titles, following Okamoto (2024 and 2025), Barbara Enright (1986 and 1994), Susie Isaacs (1996 and 1997), and Nani Dollison (2000 and 2001).
If Okamoto really does achieve a three-peat, will May be satisfied with second place?
"If it has to be that way," she said with a smile. "I've always wanted to win an open tournament, so I'll try to win other tournaments!"
Common Mistakes Review: Why Do You Keep Losing? The Problem Lies Here
Most players lose money not because of luck, but because they repeat the same mistakes.
These debriefings will help you identify the most common mistakes and understand how to correct them:
Why does constantly calling cause you to lose money?
[Bluff Imbalance] What are the costs of excessive bluffing?
Why do you always lose on the last street? [Never fold]
[Slow Play Error] Why do I lose big pots when I play slowly?
What's the problem with betting too small?
Why do people lose money when they bet too much?
[Emotional Issues] How do emotions affect your decision-making?
[Range Misjudgment] Analysis of Errors Caused by a Lack of Understanding of Range
[Location Ignore] What are the consequences of ignoring location?
[Misinterpreting People] The Impact of Misinterpreting an Opponent's Behavior
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