Why are there only a few women entered in the 2021 WSOP ME?

[blkmoney12]

As we have been watching the 2003 WSOP ME Champ, Chris Moneymaker, make a deep run in the 2021 WSOP Main Event, I still notice there is a lack of women participation yet again. I'm sure more women play poker than prior to the Moneymaker Effect, but I can't help but continue to wonder why there are not many women participating in the WSOP crown jewel?
Is there any possible way to encourage women to play the $10k buyin event?
Any thoughts?

Below are a couple of older articles I found interesting to read.
https://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-sp....l12-story.html
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/ju...ll-rare-sight/

 

[Shells]

It was cool to see at least 2 women going into Day 5 of the 2021 wsop ME and really hoped they could have made an even deeper run! They were both great representations for poker!

Personally, I think there is a long way to go in combatting sexism at the poker table. It may seem like a cop-out but for me, it will be a very long time (if ever) that I join a live tournament - honestly, being a complete recreational player, I can't be bothered to deal with sexist behaviour in a tournament without it hurting my game. I know women who have zero problems with joining the local tournament or even a few WSOP events and manage to deal with the issues as they come. I expect sexism is likely the biggest hurdle for most women.

On a side note, it would be really cool if large poker tournaments like the WPT would cut out the use of the Royal Flush girls...to me that's just plain embarrassing and demeaning.

 

[kidkvno1]

It has nothing todo with sexism, women are smart to not use their time playing one game for days when they have other things they have todo. If I had the time and money I would play in the WSOP, but I have to much todo in a week, or in a day to even think about playing in the WSOP.. Or has the OP forgot about the women's only event at the WSOP???? I wonder how many men put on a dress and play in the women's WSOP, since they can't beat men at their own WSOP!!!

https://gamboool.com/has-a-woman-ever-won-a-world-series-of-poker-wsop-bracelet

In a typical WSOP open event, only 4% of entrants will be female. Including the 2019 WSOP, twenty-three open tournaments have been won by women.

Here’s a breakdown of all of the women who have won WSOP bracelets in events other than the Ladies only tournament.
1979: Starla Brodie – $600 Mixed Doubles 7 Card Stud
1982: Vera Richmond – $1,000 Ace to 5 Draw
1996: Barbara Enright – $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em
1997: Linda Johnson – $1,500 Razz
1997: Maria Stern – $1,500 Seven-Card Stud
2000: Jerri Thomas – $1,500 Seven-Card Stud
2000: Jennifer Harman – $5000, NL 2-7
2001: Nani Dollison – $2,000 Limit HE
2002: Jennifer Harman – $5,000 Limit HE
2004: Cyndy Violette – $2,000 Seven-Card Stud/8
2004: Kathy Liebert $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout
2004: Annie Duke – $1,500 Omaha High-Low 8/OB
2007: Katja Thater – $1,500 Razz
2008: Vanessa Selbst – $1,500 PLO
2012: Vanessa Selbst – $2,500 10 Game Mix
2013: Dana Castaneda – $1,000 NL Hold’em.
2013: Loni Harwood – $1,500 NL Hold’em.
2014: Vanessa Selbst – $2,500 Omaha Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better
2015: Carol Fuchs – $1,500 Dealers Choice
2016: Kristen Bicknell – $1,500 NL Hold’em Bounty
2016: Safiya Umerova – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout
2017: Liv Boeree – $10,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em Championship
2018: Nikita Luther – $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em
2019: None


Here’s a list of all of the ladies who have won more than one World Series of Poker bracelet, followed by their number of wins.
Barbara Enright (3)
Nani Dollison (3)
Vanessa Selbst (3)
Starla Brodie (2)
Jennifer Harman (2)
Susie Isaacs (2)
Kristen Bicknell (2)
There’s one asterisk to this list, and that is one Loni Harwood.


​

P.S Would you be willing to drop 10K to me, to play in the WSOP, knowing I have no real time at a live poker table??? I know it would be a no!!

 

[pirateglenn]

I enjoyed watching Dragana - she has a great game and i agree with non use of Royal Flush girls, in todays game and society, we dont need it.

 

[Shells]

It has nothing todo with sexism, women are smart to not use their time playing one game for days when they have other things they have todo. If I had the time and money I would play in the WSOP, but I have to much todo in a week, or in a day to even think about playing in the WSOP.. Or has the OP forgot about the women's only event at the WSOP???? I wonder how many men put on a dress and play in the women's WSOP, since they can't beat men at their own WSOP!!!

https://gamboool.com/has-a-woman-ever-won-a-world-series-of-poker-wsop-bracelet



P.S Would you be willing to drop 10K to me, to play in the WSOP, knowing I have no real time at a live poker table??? I know it would be a no!!

I beg to differ re: sexism. Given I am a woman, I'm a little more sensitive to that kind of thing.

Also, I believe the OP was referencing the WSOP Main Event.

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

The only large-ish scale data that has been gathered to answer the "where are the women in poker" question was done by Poker Power- an organization with the sole purpose of encouraging more women to play. The survey is a relatively small sample of around 330 women (total 430 participants), but it shines a better light on what the real issues are. We can guess all we want, but we need people asking women on a larger scale why they haven't gotten into poker at a casino or don't play big events.

Here are the results to that survey.

It's interesting to note how women responded to the question "What are your suggestions for getting more women into poker?" The majority answered "more ladies events" and/or "more seminars/classes". Their majority response to "what deters you from playing at a casino" was "unwelcome environment" and feeling "intimidated".

I agree with Shells that having Royal Flush Girls as WPT fixtures is an example of a company (perhaps subconsciously) signaling to women that poker isn't for them...it's for men. Things like that are outdated.

I think that if we want women to play the game, we have to:
1) teach them how to play- with seminars for women
2) run ladies-only freerolls at casinos (boost their confidence in a live poker room AND kickstart their bankrolls)
3) be an advocate at the table! If you hear/see something unsavory being directed at a female player based solely on her gender, call the floor and let them know this shouldn't be tolerated.

(I know your question was specifically about the Main Event. But if women aren't in poker in the first place, they'll never have an interest in entering the Main Event.)

 

[Shells]

The only large-ish scale data that has been gathered to answer the "where are the women in poker" question was done by Poker Power- an organization with the sole purpose of encouraging more women to play. The survey is a relatively small sample of around 330 women (total 430 participants), but it shines a better light on what the real issues are. We can guess all we want, but we need people asking women on a larger scale why they haven't gotten into poker at a casino or don't play big events.

Here are the results to that survey.

It's interesting to note how women responded to the question "What are your suggestions for getting more women into poker?" The majority answered "more ladies events" and/or "more seminars/classes". Their majority response to "what deters you from playing at a casino" was "unwelcome environment" and feeling "intimidated".

I agree with Shells that having Royal Flush Girls as WPT fixtures is an example of a company (perhaps subconsciously) signaling to women that poker isn't for them...it's for men. Things like that are outdated.

I think that if we want women to play the game, we have to:
1) teach them how to play- with seminars for women
2) run ladies-only freerolls at casinos (boost their confidence in a live poker room AND kickstart their bankrolls)
3) be an advocate at the table! If you hear/see something unsavory being directed at a female player based solely on her gender, call the floor and let them know this shouldn't be tolerated.

(I know your question was specifically about the Main Event. But if women aren't in poker in the first place, they'll never have an interest in entering the Main Event.)

Thank you for this, Ashley! The survey results have been broken down really well, covering so many possible reasons that women may not want to play live poker. I've heard so many good things from women playing women-only tournaments, so the suggestion of having more women-only tournaments would make sense. What I found rather interesting, the survey noted over 55 were the largest group that had participated.

 

[ChubbySin]

As we have been watching the 2003 WSOP ME Champ, Chris Moneymaker, make a deep run in the 2021 WSOP Main Event, I still notice there is a lack of women participation yet again. I'm sure more women play poker than prior to the Moneymaker Effect, but I can't help but continue to wonder why there are not many women participating in the WSOP crown jewel?
Is there any possible way to encourage women to play the $10k buyin event?
Any thoughts?

Below are a couple of older articles I found interesting to read.
https://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-sp....l12-story.html
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/ju...ll-rare-sight/

I believe that if is does not have a rule specific to avoid women in cardrooms/casinos is just a matter of preference, what is normal to me when I look to the Poker´s history.

 

[blkmoney12]

Do u think something like the bar poker open would get women interested in poker

The only large-ish scale data that has been gathered to answer the "where are the women in poker" question was done by Poker Power- an organization with the sole purpose of encouraging more women to play. The survey is a relatively small sample of around 330 women (total 430 participants), but it shines a better light on what the real issues are. We can guess all we want, but we need people asking women on a larger scale why they haven't gotten into poker at a casino or don't play big events.

Here are the results to that survey.

It's interesting to note how women responded to the question "What are your suggestions for getting more women into poker?" The majority answered "more ladies events" and/or "more seminars/classes". Their majority response to "what deters you from playing at a casino" was "unwelcome environment" and feeling "intimidated".

I agree with Shells that having Royal Flush Girls as WPT fixtures is an example of a company (perhaps subconsciously) signaling to women that poker isn't for them...it's for men. Things like that are outdated.

I think that if we want women to play the game, we have to:
1) teach them how to play- with seminars for women
2) run ladies-only freerolls at casinos (boost their confidence in a live poker room AND kickstart their bankrolls)
3) be an advocate at the table! If you hear/see something unsavory being directed at a female player based solely on her gender, call the floor and let them know this shouldn't be tolerated.

(I know your question was specifically about the Main Event. But if women aren't in poker in the first place, they'll never have an interest in entering the Main Event.)

Good morning to you I want to wish you a very happy New Year and may your YouTube Vlog the better than ever. There's a national Poker League called bpo "bar poker open" or connected with 30 bars or so across the country is that run free tournaments to play call me every Sunday at 11 a.m. That if you get a satellite into their main event in Las Vegas or last time I check the one in Atlantic City New Jersey you get to play for big money. The participation of women in this event is is equal to the participation of men which is 50%. Do you think something like this will encourage more women to play poker and perhaps maybe play in some events at the WSOP. When you get a chance to I would like to hear your response thank you and have a nice day and again Happy New Year to you and your poker Vlog on YouTube.

 

[Ashley Sleeth]

Good morning to you I want to wish you a very happy New Year and may your YouTube Vlog the better than ever. There's a national Poker League called bpo "bar poker open" or connected with 30 bars or so across the country is that run free tournaments to play call me every Sunday at 11 a.m. That if you get a satellite into their main event in Las Vegas or last time I check the one in Atlantic City New Jersey you get to play for big money. The participation of women in this event is is equal to the participation of men which is 50%. Do you think something like this will encourage more women to play poker and perhaps maybe play in some events at the WSOP. When you get a chance to I would like to hear your response thank you and have a nice day and again Happy New Year to you and your poker Vlog on YouTube.

Happy New Year to you too! I definitely think this type of league is the perfect way to get more women into big events. Happy to hear that they get such a high percentage of female participation. Love it!

 

[waynaldo009]

I'm not saying I have the answer but could it just be something as simple as a lot of women don't find playing poker fun or attractive as men? I know there are a lot of female gamers but it's still dominated by men as well.

 

[Boudica]

Good morning to you I want to wish you a very happy New Year and may your YouTube Vlog the better than ever. There's a national Poker League called bpo "bar poker open" or connected with 30 bars or so across the country is that run free tournaments to play call me every Sunday at 11 a.m. That if you get a satellite into their main event in Las Vegas or last time I check the one in Atlantic City New Jersey you get to play for big money. The participation of women in this event is is equal to the participation of men which is 50%. Do you think something like this will encourage more women to play poker and perhaps maybe play in some events at the WSOP. When you get a chance to I would like to hear your response thank you and have a nice day and again Happy New Year to you and your poker Vlog on YouTube.

Hi, am I understanding this correctly, that you can play a free live tournament to qualify for a satellite to the main event? I would like to know more information about this program.

With a 50% turnout of women to a free event, that is a pretty clear indicator as to why we don't see more women at the wsop, as the cost of a $10,000 buy in, plus travel and accommodations is quite the investment for one tournament.

I would love to play in these events, I can tell you that as a female in the poker community, what I have experienced is narcissistic abuse, I am talking jealousy, financial abuse and sabotage. I am not so much interested in playing at a women's only table, put me at the table with the men and let me prove my skills :icon_sant

 

[Shells]

Hi, am I understanding this correctly, that you can play a free live tournament to qualify for a satellite to the main event? I would like to know more information about this program.

With a 50% turnout of women to a free event, that is a pretty clear indicator as to why we don't see more women at the wsop, as the cost of a $10,000 buy in, plus travel and accommodations is quite the investment for one tournament.

I would love to play in these events, I can tell you that as a female in the poker community, what I have experienced is narcissistic abuse, I am talking jealousy, financial abuse and sabotage. I am not so much interested in playing at a women's only table, put me at the table with the men and let me prove my skills :icon_sant

I don't know much about the Bar Poker Open but there is a website and it may help to explain how it operates a bit better. From my understanding (based on what I have read here and there) there are Poker Leagues that play in a bar setting, around the USA that offer this program. It sounds like fun, to be honest, and something a lot of folks in the USA should consider when playing purely for fun. The map I included almost gives me the impression they have bar leagues from Ontario, canada too! Hmm.

https://barpokeropen.com/leagues

 

[Boudica]

I don't know much about the Bar Poker Open but there is a website and it may help to explain how it operates a bit better. From my understanding (based on what I have read here and there) there are Poker Leagues that play in a bar setting, around the USA that offer this program. It sounds like fun, to be honest, and something a lot of folks in the USA should consider when playing purely for fun. The map I included almost gives me the impression they have bar leagues from Ontario, Canada too! Hmm.

Cool, thanks for sharing that info, unfortunately nothing near me.

I am sure that more women feel comfortable in a bar setting for obvious reasons lol, and a lot of the turnout I imagine would be couples.

Anyhow, super cool that this is available.

 

[blata8ruga]

I don't think as many women play as men do. Though I do believe that sexism and intimidation may deter some talented women from playing at the WSOP ME.

 

[Boudica]

I don't think as many women play as men do. Though I do believe that sexism and intimidation may deter some talented women from playing at the WSOP ME.

There are definitely more men than women playing, but over the years I have seen and met way more women players, I am specifically speaking of online players, although I know they play some live as well. I have also met a few women that stream on twitch.

I really had to rethink this sexism thing, as I was feeling that the lack of women at big events had more to do with not being bankrolled to play, but same difference, because of sexism it is harder for women to get backing for these events.

I feel a better solution to women only games would be women dominated backing groups, which would include coaching not only in poker skills, but also in the psychological aspects of how to deal with men at the tables, specifically, misogyny, sexism, and abusive narcissism.

Women will be less intimidated if they are confident in their poker skills and understand the psychology of whom they are dealing with.

And Ladies, focus on the positive, let that sexism work to your advantage. If they think you are dumb, you can use that to your advantage at the poker tables :icon_sant

Also, to be fair, not all men are like that.

 

[DS3]

There are definitely more men than women playing, but over the years I have seen and met way more women players, I am specifically speaking of online players, although I know they play some live as well. I have also met a few women that stream on twitch.

I really had to rethink this sexism thing, as I was feeling that the lack of women at big events had more to do with not being bankrolled to play, but same difference, because of sexism it is harder for women to get backing for these events.

I feel a better solution to women only games would be women dominated backing groups, which would include coaching not only in poker skills, but also in the psychological aspects of how to deal with men at the tables, specifically, misogyny, sexism, and abusive narcissism.

Women will be less intimidated if they are confident in their poker skills and understand the psychology of whom they are dealing with.

And Ladies, focus on the positive, let that sexism work to your advantage. If they think you are dumb, you can use that to your advantage at the poker tables :icon_sant

Also, to be fair, not all men are like that.

I believe what surveys have been done show a lot more women play online than live. Often discreetly where their sex is not openly shown for obvious reasons.

I imagine for many women the experience of playing live is similar to that of a newbie plucking up courage to play live and unfortunately being met by some who disparaged them for their lack of experience. Except of course that diminishes in time whereas the female experience has often being reported as negative as an ongoing experience.

Why anyone would balk or react to women playing is beyond me.

 

[Boudica]

I believe what surveys have been done show a lot more women play online than live. Often discreetly where their sex is not openly shown for obvious reasons.

I imagine for many women the experience of playing live is similar to that of a newbie plucking up courage to play live and unfortunately being met by some who disparaged them for their lack of experience. Except of course that diminishes in time whereas the female experience has often being reported as negative as an ongoing experience.

Why anyone would balk or react to women playing is beyond me.

You know, I don't have a lot of live experience, I have only played a few live tournaments, most of my live experience has been in cash games in Vegas, which I played several times a week for a total of approximately 6 months and actually out of that time I can only remember one negative experience, and it wasn't that big of a deal, I just changed tables, it was with one of the regulars as a matter of fact.


That was a long time ago, since then I moved out of the country, and now back in the states again. But I do remember the first time I played live, I was very nervous as that was a very new setting to me, but I did have at least 13,000 online tournaments/sngs under my belt at the time and I had worked with 3 different coaches previous to that.

To give credit to the guys, for about a month, when I first played live, I did actually have a lot of support from some very nice guys who were in my backing group at the time. It did take some time to get used to the different format.

I now have over 50,000 online sng/mtt tournaments under my belt, and I have had coaching with several elite players since then, plus putting in tons of study, so I have a lot of confidence in my game, for me it is more about being rolled to play.

Anyhow, most of the negative experiences I have had revolve around being in a romantic relationship with a poker player, and experiencing negativity, belittling, gaslighting, lying and badmouthing to investors, getting bumped off the internet, etc.

 

[BetterThanAvgButNotByMuch]

I don't know, young women would really only come to the poker room with their boyfriend or husband and to be honest it always seemed because the guy wanted to play was always my impression. You would have like the older women by themselves playing 1/2 nl but not stud with the old fellas.

I really thought it was because some women just didn't want to hang out with a bunch of men and sometimes not the type of folks you wouldn't want to bring to the family table on Sundays either then you have to play an aggressive game with them and some people just wouldn't for some reason. I guess some of them wouldn't feel comfortable trying to bully some burly man at the poker table, lol.

But that's what you have to do and you're by yourself so you have to get used to showing up at the casino, getting comfortable hanging around strangers and pushing them around for money and some folks don't feel comfortable doing that.

And when you play live you have to deal with people and that's another situation all together. I can't tell you how many different and NICE ways I've had to come up with to tell someone to shut up, lol. But if a female wanted to go to the casino I always got the impression they would rather go the play slots where they could relax by themselves or the bingo hall or to a show than deal with all the nuisances of playing poker.

I mean, just going to play live can be intimidating for the first time and can be a process in itself. Who do I talk to get seated, do I buy at the table or the cage, what rules do I need to follow at the table, etc. So yeah, there are different intimation factors I think that women have to overcome when it comes to playing.

And on top of that when you talk about the Annual WSOP in Vegas then you add on having to pony up the entry fee but now its not so bad with the entry fees like it used to be since you can get into some of the multi staged ones for under $1000 but that's still a lot of money for most people, lol.

And that's not including the expenses to get to Vegas. So its a big commitment regardless of who you are. If those poker sites were still in the US like before Black Friday then there would no doubt be a lot more women playing but for foreigners to play and do that process of getting used to frequenting casinos, ponying up the money to come to the states, getting through immigration. Its just a headache.