Maudie at PokerWorks

“Well, I’ve had enough. I need to go smoke.”

That’s what one “player” said before pushing all in. A pink make-up tote had, moments before, been dropped into the middle of the table as a “pot sweetner.” The winner of the pot, a rather, um, masculinesque woman offered me the tote. I turned it down. When not in a hand and oblivious to the action around her, the little blonde in the four seat mouthed sweet nothings to her boyfriend/husband/fiance/sugar daddy on the rail.

This is just a sample of my experience in the ladies tournament during the WSOP Circuit events last January in Tunica. After that, I decided no more “ladies” only events for me.

I’ve written about this before. I have a very strong negative opinion about these types of events. I’ve tried to temper it out of respect for the women I admire who choose to play these events. I’ve given deference to the argument that these events get women involved who might not otherwise. However, after reading Change100’s account of the 2007 WSOP Ladies Event , I am compelled to join her in the plea for true championship tourney, rather than a token tea party. Or better yet, eliminate it entirely. If the girls want to play, suck it up and get in there with the boys.

I played that event last year. It was my one and only experience at the WSOP thus far. I played it because it was the only event I could afford and the only one at that price during the time I was there. I was pleased when it was announced that it was the largest field the event had seen prior. I thought, perhaps, that would send a message to Harrah’s to elevate it to a true series event.

My overall experience, fortunately, wasn’t as dismal as the Tunica tourney. My table had a fair amount of experience - those ladies were there to play poker. In fact, one of them had been at the final table of the 2005 ladies event. I came away feeling like I’d had a decent challenge rather than the walk through the land mines Tunica was. The experience opened my mind a bit and softened my attitude somewhat.

I thought Harrah’s had gotten the message this year when I saw the design of the bracelet - a tasteful, feminine version of the “men’s” bracelet. Last year I think it was a watch. A nice one, to be sure, but it was no bracelet. I was beyond dismayed, though, to learn about the Swan makeover and the opening of the tourney. Good heavens. Just one visual sweep of the Amazon room during a male-heavy regular event and you’ll understand how incredibly insulting and patronizing that gesture was. My dismay was compounded at the dismissal of this event as evidenced by the structure.

I am saddened that the majority of these women gleefully accept this kind of treatment. I am saddened that there are so many women who are too intimidated to play with the men. I am saddened that so many women still see themselves as inferior.

If this event is here to stay, the I join the plea to make it true event - jack up the entry fee, give it a decent structure and a fair payout. And please, please, please give it some dignity - it’s poker tournament, damnit, not a beauty pageant.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 8:40 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.