Poker Blogs: Hot Girl-On-Girl Action!

READ MORE: 2005 WSOP, Annie Duke, Poker, poker bloggers

The lovely ladies of poker blogging have been arguing amongst themselves lately in regards to special treatment in poker. Sadly, this has been a well-mannered discussion with no torn lingerie or catfight scratching and clawing from the participants. Regardless, there is a variety of opinions from all the ladies of the poker blogging world. So Annie Duke won’t play Ladies Only events? What exactly are they squabbling about?

Read on, after the jump.

CHICK TALK

Plenty of good discussion, started mostly by the Debbie Burkhead article quoted first, and this top ten list from About.com listing female poker bloggers.

Debbie Burkhead, via Women’s Poker Club: Not all women are intimidated by their male counterparts, but a large majority feel uneasy and unwelcome when they sit down at a poker table with mostly men. Let’s face it ladies, we are the minority and always will be, but that is no reason not to participate in a sport in which we are just as capable.

(Oddjack note: Funny, we thought women represented over 50% of the population. Moving on…)

aK(a) asia K: I know, poker doesn’t *have* to be male-dominated… game of skill with no physical requirements etc. But, it is. So’s math, science, upper eschelons of big business and management, younameitetcetc. So why not welcome women to play whereever they feel comfortable? If you don’t want to play with them, fine— but why not live y let live for women who choose (for a million valid reasons, and a thousand invalid ones) to orient themselves around women players?

[Sidebar: I also don’t think that women who do not want to be berated for their sex while playing poker should just get better and beat men at “their own game.” (My rehash of common “women playing poker” advice.) While I’m getting better, I should sit and soak up all the “bitch, etc.” you can throw at me cos I’ve got different plumbing? I move when someone pees on transit, and I won’t endure someone calling me sexist terms either. I just won’t. The world’s too big and I can go too far in it to have to take crap like that from strangers…)

Maudie from Poker Perspectives: I am squarely in the camp that believes so-called “women’s events” should be eliminated from the major poker tournament circuits. There is absolutely no reason why women should be segregated. Poker is a game where women have the same opportunity to excel in the game as do men. With them and among them at the same table.

We would not stand for being excluded from a poker room, or tournament solely based on our gender, so why would we willingly exclude ourselves?? Because we’re intimidated? Please. If that’s what is holding you back, then take up bridge. Or scrap-booking.

Jaxia from Steal The Blinds: I will never understand why women want to separate themselves from the men. We are still fighting to break down barriers and the “good ‘ol boy” mentality, and some women are struggling to keep them intact. Sure, guys are better at some things - like lifting heavy objects. But as a woman, I know I am fully capable of holding my own in any skill important to poker.

Last night while playing poker, I raised a preflop bet. I commented to the guy next to me (who was not in the hand) that the guy would call me just because I’m a woman. He laughed and said, “Yes, but just wait until you get that monster hand and use it to your advantage.” He’s right. So what that the guys don’t respect my raises when I first sit down at a table. They’ll regret it when I show them the nuts!

Gracie from Sheverb: I am not dissing Maudie or Jaxia or Annie Duke or any of the women who vocally oppose such events. I don’t think these events are fair either. I love Maudie and Jaxia and their writing. I’m glad they are here on this planet and on this internet and are sharing their opinions. I enjoy them immensely. But if there’s an event where I have any kind of edge? I’ll take it. Because that’s life. Grab the edge while you have it because it sure as fuck is going to pass you by if you don’t.

That means I’ll play in any ladies only event that will have me.

Top Ten Female Poker Bloggers [About.com]
Women’s Poker Club
aK(a): asia K
Poker Perspectives [Maudie]
Steal The Blinds [Jaxia]
Sheverb [Gracie]