Jena Delk’s Blog

There has been much debate about Ladies only events in poker. I understand there can be strong feelings for both sides of the debate. You hear many of the same arguments over and over.

Here’s one you may not have considered:

Ladies only events bring women into the casino. These gals enjoy playing poker. Before and after each event you see a substantial increase of women playing cash. Give them what they are looking for—a good time at the table. They will open their wallets for you. So quit complaining the ladies events are sexist, and enjoy the benefit$. Don’t spoil the fun by crashing the events.

Ladies events are positive EV for poker in general.  They bring BEGINNERS (aka fish) to the game.  These are the players you want to join you at the tables.  For some ladies, the ladies event is the only way they will venture into the casino to play poker, because it feels safe to them.  I am begging you guys to leave them alone.

Internet young guns, stop sulking in your hoodie and smile at that gal sitting next to you. She is probably intimidated and could use a friend. Help her to feel comfortable.  Let her know how things work in the game, if she seems unsure. Always acknowledge someone who speaks to you.  You spend way too many hours in your cocoon anyway. 

Men who have wives, who don’t understand all the hours at the tables, should bring their lady along for a weekend of spa, shopping, and poker. Have her bring along a couple of friends. She will be so busy have fun that there will be no time to nag you. Hopefully she will find the experience so much fun that she will pick up the game. Once she is playing regularly her daily nagging allowance will be sharply decreased. There is one drawback; she may become a better player than you!!

Tournament Directors: Please add a male only event to occur at the same time as the Ladies Events.

I am sitting at my summer home in Las Vegas, still pouting that I am not playing over at the Rio.  I am sad to say, I did not get very far in the WSOP Ladies Event. I lasted into Level 4, which is pretty miraculous since I was short stacked and card dead the entire time.

I was seated at table 8, along with the always lovely, Vanessa Rousso and Tiffany Michelle.  I was fortunate to last longer than these two pros.  After they busted, their seats became a revolving door of ladies who would sit down and play a few hands, then bust.  As they busted, I continued to nurse a 1,100 stack.  I would move my small stack all in and the table would fold, so that I could earn enough to post my blinds.  This continued for nearly two hours.  Then when I finally got a real hand, I was called.  I had queens (the bitches, as I call them). My lady in the number four seat had Ace King, so it was an easy decision for her to call.  The ace came out on the flop, but I had already started packing my bag.  Busto!  Those bitches have knocked me out of 50% of my ladies events.  I probably should stop playing them!

You can check out the results at http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/results.asp?grid=764&tid=10843.

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!

LAS VEGAS June 10th Location: Planet Hollywood Las Vegas HHPT Tournament Academy Learn from some of the best female pros in the industry. Barbara Enright, Susie Isaacs, Karina Jett, Lisa Adams, Marsha Waggoner, and Beth Gains. Tuition: $495 Includes: -Instruction -Lunch -Free entry into our sit-n-go extravaganza at 7pm at the Hard Rock.  Where 1 of every 10 ladies will get a seat to the ladies event at the RIO on the 11th ($125 value). -Raffle give-a-way of a $1000 Ladies Event -$5 donation will be made in your honor to www.PokerGives.org To make a reservation: tina@highheelspokertour.com or register online at: www.highheelspokertour.com

NEW TOPIC

Instructor Beth Gains uses these concepts as part of her everyday and poker life.  She has so graciously accepted the invitation to share these concepts with you, to help you improve your life and your poker.  We are excited to have her teach us ways we can improve what we think may be broken or underutilized in our game and using certain tools about life and ourselves to create a new “poker” you.

I am in New Orleans for the WSOP circuit events. I will be in town until May 19th and will be at the tables as much as my body allows!

There are 19 events, plus daily mega satellites and second chance tournaments spread over nineteen days.  There are a variety of event types to appeal to all players: No limit hold em, Pot limit Omaha, Seniors, Ladies, Re-buy,  Shootout,  Heads  Up, Mixed, and more.  The structure of the events are great.

Come join me in the Bayou!

Ladies,

My good friends at the High Heels Poker Tour and HHPT Academy are headed to Jacksonville, FL later this month.  They will be at Orange Park Kennel Club on May 22-23, 2010 for a HHPT Academy and a HHPT Tournament. (Sorry, guys, this is a ladies only event).

The Academy will be taught by none other than the “Queen of Poker”: Barbara Enright.  The academy was designed for women of all skill levels from beginner to seasoned player. The Academy is taught as a lab based experience, allowing the student to learn by true live hand by hand instruction.  Barbara and the HHPT staff will bring lots of personal interaction to ensure a positive learning environment.  For this event, HHPT is offering a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) deal.   The cost of the Academy for two is $495, which includes your entry into the May 23 tournament, instruction by Barbara Enright, and lunch.  They offer a payment plan, should you desire. Great deal!

Ms. Enright has been playing poker for over 30 years. Her record is unmatched. She is the ONLY women to make the final table of the WSOP Main Event and the only woman in the Poker Hall of Fame, Women’s Poker Hall of Fame, and Seniors Hall of Fame.  When I grow up, I want to be like her!

After the Academy, use your new skills in the $150 tournament.  This ladies tournament is being held May 23 at 1 pm.  Two seats to the WSOP Ladies Event will be given away as the 1st and 2nd second prize and even includes cash for travel ! The WSOP Ladies Event will be held at the RIO, Las Vegas, June 11, 2010.

To reserve your seat to the Academy, call 954-817-2992.  Additional information can be found at www.highheelspokertouracademy.com

I am currently in route to Jacksonville to play with the Ladies at St John’s Greyhound Park.  I am riding with my friend Lauren Falla, founder of the High Heels Poker Tour.  The tournament kicks off Sunday at 1 pm.  The poker room is treating us ladies well.  There is going to be food, giveaways, and lots of giggling.  And the Ladies know how to have fun.

The structure for this tournament will feature 20 minute blinds with 10,000 units.  The buying is a very reasonable $125.  Lots of value here.

I visited the poker room for the first time yesterday.  I must say the room is beautiful.  The needs of the poker player are within easy reach: food, drink, smoking deck, and restrooms. What this room offers that so many in Florida don’t is free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating.  The room has a sushi bar!  There is a bank of leather seats facing a wall of flat screen plasma televisions.  Each seat has an earphone jack so you can select which TV you wish to hear. 

The room employs automatic card shufflers.  The staff is very friendly and helpful.  The dealers are capable.  Massages can be obtained tableside for $1/minute.