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Ladies Night, No More


2008-01-31 10:22:18
By: Gene Bromberg

Women-only poker tournaments have been a subject of some controversy the last few years. Poker is a game fought with the mind and the heart--what physical advantages men have over women (or vice-versa) don't apply on the green felt. Separating the boys from the girls strikes some women as patronizing and an insult to their intelligence and ability. On the other hand, far more men than women play poker and ladies-only events might attract female players who might feel uncomfortable or intimidated sitting down at a table full of guys. Women-only events might introduce new players to the game who, down the road, might decide to start playing in open events.

One player who doesn't think much of ladies-only event is UltimateBet's Annie Duke, who has stated on a number of occasions that she doesn't like segregated tournaments. At all. And she recently reiterated her position at a Ladies-only WSOP Academy that was held last week at Caesar's Palace. My friend Jennifer Newell attended the Academy while researching a magazine piece and asked the question, "Why was the Academy for women only?"

My impression was that many of the women felt less intimidated without men in the room. They were open to ask questions without fear of judgment by the opposite sex. For others, it was a chance for groups of friends to attend together or simply meet other female poker players and discuss similar experiences.

Annie explained that she teaches the ladies-only classes because she wants to give women the tools of the game in a comfortable environment, and she hopes those skills will then be used to "kick the boys' asses." She only hopes that they will do so in a co-ed environment.

Her objections to the ladies-only tournaments are based on the fact that poker is purely a game of skill, with some luck thrown in, and that skill is not based on gender – or size, race, ethnicity, or physical ability for that matter. In a game where everyone is equal when they sit down at the table, she sees no reason for women to be segregated into smaller buy-in, less meaningful tournaments that don't get televised and aren't respected by most members of the poker community.

I'm open-minded on the subject...or wishy-washy, depending on how you look at it. If ladies-only events will bring more players to the tables then I'm all for it. Poker is fun, and if some women feel more comfortable learning the game with other women, that's OK by me. On the other hand, the poker room shouldn't feel like an eighth-grade dance, with boys on one side, girls on the other. Women should feel like they have the same right to sit down and play as a man, and men should think that was well. The poker table is an oasis of egalitariasism--your gender, race, religion, nationality, or family don't mean a thing. All that matters is how you play the game.

For better or worse, this subject is once again in the news. Because back on January 18th California's Bureau of Gaming Control ruled that ladies-only tournaments may violate state anti-discrimination laws. This could be viewed as a twisted sign of progress--women discriminating against men! Or it could be looked upon as just another example of government intervening in an issue that really doesn't need the long arm of the law to resolve. From the article:

A spokesperson from The Bicycle Club is quoted as saying, "Our advertisements are pretty generic. The events in the past for women are titled such as Queen of Queens and Luck Be a Lady. We simply will comply and add – 'open to all' or 'all are welcome."

Cheri Dokken, poker director at the Commerce Casino says, "We will continue to host ladies events without the 'only'. Our upcoming event will register any men who desire to play. Our legal department tells me it's a go!"

Lupe Soto, LIPSTour and Women's Poker Hall of Fame founder said, "The LIPSTour is a ladies tour, but we have on occasion registered men for the events. We've always been aware of discrimination laws. We will make changes in any advertisements we participate in and make sure there isn't an 'only' wording included."

So, no big deal. Men can play in ladies events if they so wish, and ladies can play in open events. All are welcome, everywhere. And, someday, maybe we'll reach that poker utopia where there will be no need for such legalistic parsing of language because no one under the sun will think that they aren't fully accepted playing their favorite game. That's the dream.







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