Ever since my initial experience at a poker table, one persistent question has remained in my mind:
What’s it like to be a woman in poker?
I’m happy to share my perspective.
To adequately address this question, I need to be straightforward — I’ve only ever played poker as a female player. I lack any alternative perspective to draw comparisons.
My journey in poker has always been as… well… myself, which sets the stage for my first point regarding my poker book targeted at women.
At the beginning of my poker career, I aimed to create a beginner's guide to poker. Given my background in writing, I decided to utilize my skills to craft a how-to poker book that would engage readers, avoiding the overly dull texts often found in the genre. Most poker literature tends to be authored by players rather than professional writers.
Hence, my book, A Girl’s Guide to Poker , was born.
Poker from a Female Perspective
However, an unexpected twist occurred — my so-called beginner's poker book ended up being labeled as a women’s poker book. Despite its intention to cater to all beginners, the title and personal narrative led some people to perceive it as intended strictly for women.
This categorization was not my goal (though the Legally Blonde humor and dating app allusions were certainly present). No — I simply wanted it to reflect my own voice.
This illustrates the experience of female poker players; every action we take is viewed through the prism of gender as we navigate the game and make moves. It's not merely a poker player handling chips — it's specifically a woman poker player handling chips.
At the poker table, we are seen as “women” rather than just “players”
This label amplifies every choice we make.
It leads to an acute awareness of oneself and can cause many women to feel uneasy, excessively evaluated, and as though they are under a microscope.
Nonetheless, it's a path I would encourage almost any woman to pursue.
There is a profound sense of empowerment that comes from mastering this distinct environment — asserting your presence at the table.
Teaching Women How to Play Poker
The release of my book opened up pathways to various other opportunities — notably, conducting women's poker workshops through the organization Poker Power. I contributed to developing the company's curriculum and instructed countless women. how to play poker .
Through this experience, I have gleaned a number of insights.
- What stood out the most to me was the contrast between teaching high school girls and adult women in corporate settings.
- Initially, Poker Power concentrated on empowering high school girls through poker. The focus was on how learning poker could enhance their math skills, problem-solving abilities, and, crucially, self-confidence.
The girls in those classes were full of energy. They would laugh heartily and bluff away their chips, eagerly trying to one-up each other. Their enthusiasm mirrored that of their male counterparts — both sets of teenagers were on the lookout for the best strategies. where to play poker in Vegas .
Instructing Executive Women on Poker
However, the initiative later pivoted towards teaching high-level professional women from significant financial institutions and large companies. The inquiries in my classes evolved from the playful, 'Why would I ever fold?' to the more tactical, 'Why would I ever bluff?'
Clearly, these women underwent a transformation during that significant age gap of 15 to 45.
- My teenage female students exhibited a boldness that was remarkable.
- Conversely, my adult students often seemed much more apprehensive.
As their instructor in strategy, I recognized that this wariness could hinder their performance.
- In poker, a cautious approach rarely leads to victory.
- You can’t expect to succeed by merely accumulating small wins.
- You cannot wait for aces.
- Success doesn’t come from a passive mindset — or from a style often jokingly referred to as 'playing like a girl.'
A competitive edge requires a strategy of heightened aggression. Even top-tier poker software can identify and advise on optimal aggression levels — yet, many of these women were not achieving those standards. poker books At least some of my pupils exhibited this behavior. Nonetheless, I noticed a noteworthy number grappling with the idea of increasing their aggression.
Playing poker as a woman can feel transformative, as if you are piercing through an unspoken code — breaking the glass ceiling of the game.
You have the choice between playing in a predictable, easy-going manner, as society might expect, which can leave you feeling outmatched and diminished.
You are faced with two choices:
- Alternatively, you can step outside those expectations and engage with fervor and determination.
- To triumph in this game, one must possess a fierce spirit. For those who discover this within themselves, it becomes one of the most gratifying experiences.
The Thrill of Being a Bold Woman in Poker
In a game where the objective often involves creating confusion for opponents, this dynamic interplay can be tremendously exciting.
The Ultimate Joy — Discovering Empowerment through Poker
When I embarked on my poker adventure, I was a young political writer situated in Washington, D.C., feeling insignificant and powerless. The world’s challenges seemed so daunting and impossible to overcome.
I often likened my situation to that of a small, yapping dog, desperately seeking attention.
However, my perspective shifted dramatically once I learned to play poker. I started to view myself as someone in control, like an 'end boss' in the game.
While I felt muted and marginal in my everyday life, I discovered that my voice resonated loudly when I made a chip bet. Even if my yapping went unnoticed, my impactful betting decisions could not be ignored. poker lingo !
All it took was placing my stack in the center of the table. I felt like I had found my voice — expressed through the vibrant colors of poker chips.
Although women certainly encounter negativity and bias at the poker table — including low expectations — my overall experience has been predominantly positive.
Engaging in poker has felt like uncovering a muscle I never knew I had.
Of course, there are challenges associated with playing in a casino setting. It often feels like a boys' club, where remarks can be overtly offensive or, at the very least, reflect a significant underestimation of your abilities. This is all part of the landscape.
Despite that, I am thankful for the discovery of poker, as it has provided me with newfound strength.
So, what does it mean to engage in poker as a woman?
It's empowering — it’s about transcending boundaries, including those I’ve once set for myself.
Amanda is the author of the book A Girl's Guide to Poker, aimed at making the game welcoming and accessible to individuals of all backgrounds. In 2021, she earned recognition as a finalist in the World Series of Poker, where she and her father secured third place in the WSOP tag team competition.