Ooooof!
Personally – I anticipate you might have seen me coming, Shells - I don’t buy this, ‘good intentions’ or not. Obviously, guys have previous form with this, a need to impose themselves. What would be the best scenario? A clumsy and ill-conceived attempt at being supportive of women?
If Hammers claims to enter was to support women’s causes then why do it as a disruptor who would irritate many in the room? Also, potentially alienating his wife and daughter somewhat from the field also. I bothered to check whether there were photos of Hammers, his wife and daughter entering the event together. I could not find a single one. The only image of Hammers (as in the article) is him sipping a ‘women’s drink’ after his elimination.
Hammers could have handled everything differently. As others have said, he could have talked to Poker News before the event started, pretend he was about to enter but explained he was there to support his wife and daughter and he wanted to donate $10,000 (his entry fee) to the winner who in turn would donate the sum to the women’s charity of choice. Heck, he could have simply brought a couple of friends to loudly rail his wife and daughter. Start a tradition, husbands, family members and friends loudly railing their spouses, mothers etc..
Women’s events were/are supported by the industry to bring more females into the game. All are aware women have traditionally faced a hostile poker environment and the hostility hinders the expansion of the game overall. As it is technically illegal to bar men a steady stream (not a majority) of guys have injected themselves into women’s tournaments. To prove what? What is the harm or damage being done? Why is this threatening to anyone?
Here’s a short and balanced article from Casino Org Blog noting the history of women in poker and the difficulties they have faced.
https://www.casino.org/blog/why-arent-there-more-women-playing-poker/