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| | Women in Poker Part 2 | | |      |
By Jennifer Newell Thanks for joining me on our second date.
I see that we have some things in common, and I'm feeling the connection.
And it's nice that I don't have to get dressed up for our get-togethers! A few weeks ago, I began a series of articles about women in poker, and I touched on my experiences with the game, or lack thereof.
A few weeks ago, I took a leap of faith and played in my first non-charity, non-media tournament.
Was I intimidated by the men? No.
Was I intimidated by the possible experience at the tables? Ummm, yes! I was at the Sahara on the Las Vegas Strip (which has an amazing comp program, by the way) and bought into their daily 7pm $40 tournament.
There was a one-time rebuy option for $20, and I planned to avoid that altogether, but when the dealer asked if we wanted to rebuy right before the first hand was dealt, I saw other people doing it and did not hesitate.
So much for sticking to my guns.
Out of a field of 122, I lasted until there were four tables left, and I lost a coin-toss hand.
I hadn't been getting any cards, and I'm not skilled enough (yet!) to play the players.
I was okay with the loss, but I was more curious about the number of women in the field.
As I looked around during the event, I noticed at least one woman at each table, which is more than what I see in the big tournaments.
I spoke with the shift supervisor, Steve, in the poker room, and he informed me that out of 122 players, 19 were women - 16%.
He has observed a noticeable jump in the past year, estimating that there are 20% more women playing in the daily tournaments than were a year ago.
In addition, he noted that there is a significantly greater number of female poker dealers than he has ever seen.
I was pleased.
If there is a marked increase in the number of women in daily tournaments at the Sahara, this bodes well for other tournaments and other casinos.
A variety of conversations with friends - casual players and poker pros alike - confirms that more women are playing.
Nevertheless, the question remains.
Why is there such a disproportionate number of women in the game as a whole? Through my research, I've come to two basic conclusions: a table full of men is intimidating to a female newcomer to the game, and the game itself - over and above the "man" factor - is challenging and intimidating.
I know.
I'm a genius, huh? Okay, I obtained some thoughts from some of today's top players about first experiences in poker.
Isabelle Mercier: "It's always intimidating the first time you sit down at a real action table, ant that's the case for almost everybody.
It's part of the process of learning; it takes a little while and a few hours of play before you actually feel like you're in your living room.
The big thing is when you play live games, as opposed to internet action, people actually see you, so if you make a fool of yourself, you've got to live with it! Now, I'm totally comfortable at the poker table - it's probably the place where I'm the most comfortable in the world.
As you get better, you feel more and more comfortable." Kristy Gazes: "I was intimidated by my own shadow when I first sat down.
It was not really the men at that time; it was the total lack of experience at poker, and the action [that] scared me.
It took me a good year or so of playing 30+ hours a week to feel a bit more comfortable at the table." Cyndy Violette: "Ironically, the first time I ever played, there was a woman at the table who was really mean to me! I found her overpowering because she was physically rather large in size and seemed disgusted with me because she didn't think I knew what I was doing.
Truth is, I didn't exactly know what I was doing, but I was winning every pot.
I won so much, and she sat there fuming! I never felt uncomfortable playing with men, though.
I was always treated well.
If you conduct yourself well and are friendly and respectful and don't antagonize people, you won't have a problem." Susie Isaacs: "I had watched people playing poker many times and wanted to play, but as is so often the case with the gals, I was intimidated beyond words.
So one night, I got slightly inebriated at the craps table and, again, hung on the rail and watched the poker.
A very friendly William 'Stacks' Howell got me to take a seat, and that is where I stayed for about 12 hours.
Been hooked ever since." Clonie Gowen: "It is funny.
In the beginning, I was never intimidated to play with the guys, although I should have been because I would have saved a lot of money.
My lack of fear caused me to play way too many hands and to play them poorly, which resulted in a lot of losses early on.
I've always had self-confidence, and I looked at improving my game and becoming a winning player as a challenge.
It is all a process of learning the game.
Playing everyday and learning how to win gave me confidence and that raised my comfort level."
It is obvious that the women I interviewed had very different experiences when their careers began, but regardless of their levels of intimidation or inexperience, the theme that rings true in all cases is that fear and discomfort will vanish over time.
Above all, learning more about the intricacies of the game and improving one's own skills are the keys to finding contentment at the poker tables.
In the third installment of this series, I will relate some of the advice that top female players have shared with me, including everything from ladies tournaments to particular attributes that can help women conquer their fears.
Please feel free to e-mail me with your comments, experiences, and feedback at jen3351msn.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Until our next rendezvous.
Jen Jennifer Newell is a freelance writer, originally from St.
Louis but now living in Los Angeles.
She fell in love with poker while working at WPT and began writing about it in 2005.
Please feel free to e-mail her with your comments, experiences, and feedback at jen3351msn.
She looks forward to your thoughts.
Poker.
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