Poker has long been seen as a male-dominated pastime, but in recent years, women have made great strides in leveling the playing field. Though female participation in poker was previously sparse, women now make up a noteworthy portion of players in casino card rooms and at major tournaments.
A Brief History
While poker has traditionally been a game associated with men, women have participated since the early days. Poker first became popular in the United States in the 1800s, and evidence indicates women took part in these early poker games. However, their involvement was limited, as social norms of the time dictated that card playing was not fully acceptable for ladies.
As poker spread via railroads and steamboats in the late 1800s, its perception evolved to being more acceptable for women. More women began playing privately in their homes, though public card rooms remained male turf. Famous poker player Alice Hathaway is one notable early female poker player who disguised herself as a man to compete in public games in the Old West.
It wasn’t until the poker boom of the 2000s that significant numbers of women started playing poker, both recreationally and professionally. The introduction of online poker and hole-card cameras, which made the game more accessible and enjoyable to watch, fueled this trend.
Current Status
While men still dominate the poker scene, women now make up a sizable portion of participants. Estimates suggest women represent 10-20% of live poker room players. In online poker, studies indicate the percentage of female players is slightly higher, in the range of 20-30%.
Some of poker’s biggest tournaments boast female participation rates ranging from just under 10% to over 20%. The prestigious World Series of Poker Main Event has seen female enrollment increase steadily, more than tripling from 2.7% in 2005 to 9.7% in 2019.
These figures reveal women crossing over into poker in monumental numbers compared to decades past. However, there is still room for growth before poker can be considered a game played equitably by both genders.
Spotlight on Women’s Successes
Though outnumbered, female players have made their mark by winning major tournaments and millions in prize money. Notable achievements include:
- Barbara Enright becoming the first woman to make a WSOP Main Event final table in 1995.
- Annie Duke winning the 2004 WSOP Tournament of Champions.
- Annette Obrestad clinching the first WSOP bracelet won by a woman in 2007 at age 18.
- Vanessa Selbst securing over $11 million in poker winnings and three WSOP bracelets.
- Kelly Minkin finishing 50th in the 2018 WSOP Main Event, the highest by a woman.
While the deck may have been historically stacked against them, these poker queens have proven women have the skills to compete and succeed at the felt against top male players. Their accomplishments pave the way for the next generation of female poker stars.
Contributing Factors
Several cultural and technological changes have catalyzed the influx of women into poker over the past 20 years:
- Greater social acceptance – Poker lost much of its stigma as an exclusively male activity and became more mainstream.
- Positive female role models – Top female poker players emerged as inspirations.
- Media exposure – Television and movies portrayed poker as exciting, strategic and egalitarian.
- Online poker – Gave women an easy entry point to learn poker fundamentals in a comfortable environment.
- Legal changes – Legalization of various forms of gambling, including online poker, increased accessibility.
While gender biases still exist, poker is now considered more egalitarian, making women feel welcome. This friendlier environment coupled with strong female poker ambassadors has empowered more women to pull up a seat at the table.
On a final note, women have made remarkable progress establishing a substantial presence in the once male-exclusive realm of poker over the past two decades. However, there is still room for growth. Continuing efforts to promote inclusion and highlight poker’s merits as a fun, social game of skill can help bring more women into the fold. Though female players face obstacles like gender stereotypes, their passion for poker and propensity for success shows they have earned their spot at the table.
