The Changing Landscape of Women in Poker
In this brave new world, women are playing poker. While their numbers in live play may not be as high as we’d like, the achievements of Vanessa Selbst—who has three bracelets and over $10 million in lifetime earnings—signal that the days of smoke-filled, whiskey-soaked male-dominated card rooms are fading. However, the path forward is still fraught with challenges.haha777
The Current State of Female Representation
In the 2015 WSOP Main Event, female players made up just 4% of the field. This statistic highlights a persistent gender gap in the live poker scene. However, women are much more represented online, where they enjoy greater comfort, privacy, and less hostility. Yet, their presence in live settings, both tournaments and cash games, remains relatively small. Numerous articles have analyzed poker’s gender gap, and despite the growing global participation of women, the underground cash scene in New York provides a useful environment to observe the experiences of the few women in these intense settings.haha777
Adjustments and Nicknames
To save face, a young player began calling me “honey” late one night after I took his stack. It wasn’t endearing; the term felt sharp and unwelcome. In live cash games, terms of “endearment” often include a haphazard assortment—doll, dear, sweetie, sexy, baby, sweetheart, and so on. It’s a weird dynamic, reminiscent of tabloid headlines featuring construction workers going wild with check-raises. While I cherish my poker friends who use affectionate nicknames that lift my spirits, the unwelcome ones often serve as reminders of the environment we navigate.haha777
Cats and Quads: Competition Dynamics
Women are not typically socialized to be aggressive and are often penalized for it in various social settings, receiving harsh labels. On several occasions, I’ve found myself heads-up against another woman, only to have the men fold out of the hand, saying things like “let those two go at it.” Female competition is framed as a spectacle, whereas when two men are in a hand, they’re seen as engaging in a strategic battle. This contrast invokes a sense of competitive privilege among men while reducing women’s competition to mere entertainment.
Shipping It to Men
“Good female players are so rare,” the male host said, pointing directly at me in a room full of men. At first, it seemed like a flattering remark, but I soon began to question its true intent. Was it a compliment, or a reminder that female champions are the exception? Ironically, some articles suggest that women players might excel beyond men, particularly at lower stakes, thanks to stronger intuition and a more advantageous risk-averse nature. Yet, the belief in the logical superiority of male players persists—for now, haha777.
All-In, X-Rated: The Poker Environment
Just like shoes, each cash game has its own style, fitting each player differently. Some places maintain a professional atmosphere, curbing locker-room talk, while others can be extremely vulgar—think soft porn on big screens and players openly discussing women’s bodies. Despite the sexist atmosphere, I played at such a place for months because I enjoyed the players and the action. Did I ever bring a new female player into that environment? No. Ultimately, game runners in a competitive, underground, big-city scene might want to consider who feels welcomed and make adjustments if more women start entering live play.haha777
Drawing to the “Mansplain”
Mansplainers have a unique role in poker, where expertise is constantly on display. They irritate both men and women, but for a self-deprecating female poker player who makes a mistake, the added criticism can be particularly painful. I’ve had a few overly opinionated men continue to talk at me long after a hand has ended, even when I avoided eye contact and refused to engage. Would a man really keep talking to another man who was ignoring him? The answer often lies in the entrenched biases that still pervade the poker world.haha777
The Experience of “Spewing”
I started getting serious coaching early in my poker career, focusing on improving my tournament skills. But venturing into low-stakes cash games felt like stepping into a new world. At one local spot, the floor guy was an action junkie, a textbook LAG. One night, he joined our game and mocked my min-raises, which I was using as part of my experimentation. While it wasn’t the worst experience, I was new and somewhat vulnerable, so I never went back.
Breaking Stereotypes
Despite encountering dismissive remarks, like “I know exactly what she’s got in her hand,” simply because I’m a woman, I enjoy proving these assumptions wrong. I often win with unconventional hands, like six-high suited connectors. Taking regular breaks helps me manage stress and maintain focus. Once, I took a five-minute break and was publicly reprimanded by the host for not considering the needs of two waiting players. I resist gender stereotypes, but it’s evident that treatment varies based on gender.
The Good News: Respect and Community
The good news? Goofiness is a common occurrence in poker, and despite a few exceptions, I receive tremendous respect wherever I play. While articles advise women to prove their worth at the table, similar advice for men is rare. I’ve seen female beginners arrive with boyfriends at cash games, and despite their inexperience, the table often comes together to help them out. It seems that cuteness can sway the dynamics in interesting ways.
Looking Ahead: A More Inclusive Poker Scene
As for a sexually integrated poker scene, think of it as girls smoking cigars—an acquired taste. Ultimately, more women at the table means more potential for profit throughout the poker world. Embracing diversity in poker isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a path to greater success and excitement for all players involved. Here’s to that, haha777!