Turn on the television to a televised poker event and you’ll see more and more women at the tables, and they are winning… Some of the top ranked women poker players are ranked as top poker players in the world - period. Poker has seen a wild increase in popularity in recent years and women are getting in on the action. 60 million people a month are now playing poker and 30% are women.
Women in Poker Tournaments
Women poker players are taking the media by storm, with major tournaments like the World Poker Tour featuring Ladies Night series, tournaments and tours. As Robyn Moder, executive Vice President of WPT Studios said,
"Women are a rising force in poker. By bringing a WPT ladies league and tour stops to top gaming destinations across the U.S., we hope to support and perpetuate the evolution of the sport and recognition of the women who play."
On the flip side, poker star Annie Duke refuses to play in women’s only tournaments and says, "Poker is one of the few sports where a woman can compete on a totally equal footing with a man, so I don't understand why there's a ladies only tournament."
Top Women Poker Players
Women are also making their mark on the WSOP, the most popular worldwide poker tournament. Ladies like Annie Duke are playing and winning coveted bracelets in the World Series of Poker. Another WSOP bracelet winner, Kathy Liebert, takes the honor of being the number one (earning) female poker player with total winnings over $5.5M. Kathy is ranked 36th in the overall (mixed) top poker earnings rankings.
These women are also making history. Annette Obrestad is the second highest earning female poker player with earnings over $3M – but she is also the youngest player ever to win a WSOPE bracelet, which she won when she was only 18. She’s also replaced Annie Duke as being the woman to have won the most prize money in a single event, grossing over $2M for her WSOPE win. Not bad for a young woman of 18!
Other top players like Vanessa Rousso are becoming celebrity spokespeople and media figures thanks to their poker success and flair. While there are well-known Hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Tilly that are also making it big at the poker tables. Plus, there are many women poker players like are participating in and organizing charitable poker events to give back to the community.
Whatever your interest may be… Keep an eye on the women of poker – they are going places…
It doesn't take much strength to lift up two cards. -Jennifer Harman
I don't think being a woman hurts me at all. Most men don't give women credit for playing poker well, so that hurts them.
-Clonie Gowen
