Gender challenges
There is one aspect to being a lady professional poker player that may not come to mind when considering the gender differences in poker. Let’s set aside the differences in the game itself and focus on the business side.
The ladies often have higher travel expenses. In the world of poker, guys pile three or more guys in a room and split the cost several ways. This results in a much lower cost per day. I very often have to bear the entire cost of lodging by myself. If a lady player has a bed available in her room, can she ever offer a male player the extra bed? Will it be assumed that sex would be involved? Or just hanging out? Should you find a guy who is capable of seeing a room sharing arrangement for what it really is (money savings) what will be the perception of others? Will this sort of arrangement damage her image? This does not even begin to address potential safety issues of sharing a room with a poker acquaintance.
I was with a group of guys last week discussing poker and life in general. It was a relaxing time and everyone seemed comfortable with each other. After a while another female poker players name came up. The guys started immediately bashing her, saying that she is just a tease. I explored this with the guys and learned that she mostly earned this image by going out with a group of the guys and saying no to their advances. Each one told how they hit on her and was struck down. These guys assumed that if a girl when somewhere with them, that they had a right to hit on the gal. Really? Come on guys! Think about how much time you spend with your buddies while playing poker and realize us girls need social time too!
Tags: gender equity, ladies event, ladies tournament, Poker, women in poker