Girls taking a grip

Author: Simon Dexter

Amarillo Slim is on record as saying that should a woman ever win the WSOP, he’ll eat his hat, but given the way in which the game’s popularity has blossomed among the fairer sex, maybe the old timer should contemplate having a headpiece made in the form of a cake.

According to a report published this week, online poker participation has grown by 566% since 2003, although over the past 18 months, the most significant rate of growth has been among females.

British women have rolled their sleeves up and taken to the baize tables inspired by television coverage of poker events featuring celebrity women, particularly Soccer AM presenter Helen Chamberlain, who showed that a comparatively inexperienced female player can succeed at the highest level. Her success, coupled with that of Norwegian poker prodigy Annette Obrestad has inspired a new generation of young women to take up the game.

Women poker players are altogether cagier, more considered sorts who display a greater tendency to put their brains in gear before making a move. Furthermore, they’re generally considered to show greater loyalty to online (and indeed, offline) poker rooms.

Poker’s worldwide appeal among women will also become evident on Sunday [Ed: 20 Jan] when an inaugural ladies poker tour kicks off at the Borgata, Atlantic City. No doubt Amarillo Slim will be keeping a close eye on proceedings and phoning his baker, just in case.

Tags: poker industry, Poker News, Women poker players

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 2:46 pm and is filed under News & Promotions Blog.