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Why Have Only Women In Women Only Poker Tournaments |
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This seems a
strange question but you know there are players and observers out there making
the argument about sexism is a universal type of discrimination and it should
be tackled in whatever form it shows itself. But are these people all men, and
the answer is nearly a complete 100% yes. There are none of the top female
players, many of whom are clearly strong people and some ardent feminists,
sounding their horn on this matter. But that again has no significance because
they are all in the business for the purpose of winning money, that is after
all the fundamental reason people are playing poker. And if winning money is
not your reason for playing poker? Stop playing immediately.
A very
common reply from female players when asked why they shy away from playing more
live poker, that is poker in the flesh against real people, is that it is
intimidating and or an overtly unpleasant envirnment with male dominated
banter. Tournaments for only female poker players seem innocent then in the
attempt by organisers and poker businesses to encourage the participation of a
hugely under represented section of the population. More players, more profit.
More than this though is the idea that with more women in a poker room there
may develop a higher level of policing against the trash talking which is so
common in poker rooms.
Poltically correct conversation in late night
poker games is definitely some way off but in a world of unlimited competition
for sponsorship dollars and TV airtime, presenting the game as an all inclusive
world is the only way forward. The poker world grew massively in the first
decade after the speed of the internet and playing devices made it a real time
possibility for all who wanted it. After that period its been in stagnation.
The number of online players hasn't increased and the participants in the World
Series has remained static. This when everything else has been growing and
some, like eSports, growing exponentially so that it dwarfs poker in viewing
figures and in real people anteing-up their money to take
part.
Men In Women Only
Tournaments?
So what about men playing in women only poker
events? Well ask Victoria Coren Mitchell. What she says can't be repeated but
these guys are just what will kill any chance that poker had of growing in the
future. So definitely have women only poker tournaments and put them on TV.
Spicey banter will still flood the air but it will not be so purile, unpleasant
and tacky.
Compare poker with the casino envirnment. A much stricter
set of rules exist here for the level of conversation as everyone is aware of
the rules, the law, the need to keep their license and just plain common
decency. There is a far greater female participation inside casinos, a place
which is far safer than the normal night out anywhere, and not just for
women.
This then has the mirror image in online casinos where there are
no such sexist devides in the marketing and endless advertising that is all
over your TV screens. Except that is for bingo which is a stronghold for women
and no one is thinking of men only bingo nights because once again they are
protecting the market.
Is There A Difference for Women In
Casinos?
Whenever you get offered some extra online blackjack
bonus it was not because of your sex, it was because they want to keep you as a
customer and value your pure business rather than a shortage of women. In fact
it is strange that the casino execs who have expanded their bricks and mortar
buildings to accommodate poker players have not paid attention to the sex
divide between the two areas.
So poker has evolved with playing
techniques, highly technical betting patterns, global reach with digital
technology and not very much with gender disrimination and sexual harrassment.
Not that sex is on their minds, they gave that up long ago. Lets have more
Women In Women Only Poker Tournaments! |
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