So, a man entered the 2021 WSOP Ladies Event...

[jaymfc]

Interesting article, but why are men even allowed into Ladies' events? One could argue "why are ladies allowed in Men's events? [but this seems like most every event since poker is currently male-dominated]

However, I feel like that simplistic approach is wrong. Imagine if there was something like a poker "little league" with poker events for children, but then some middle-aged dude shows up to participate...wouldn't everyone suggest that they shouldn't be eligible?

I kind of like the idea of specific events to spread the game (especially charity events like this one) and right now, there are so many more men in poker than women (for whatever reason, but I predict it is mostly for cultural reasoning) that I think it makes sense to feature women-only events.

I don't even think it is (or should be) about gender, but rather creative ways to expand the popularity of the game and finding ways to make the community more friendly and good for poker. Just my opinion...

its Nevada law, they cant bar someone for gender.
some men are too stupid to understand that they have accomplished nothing.
yes old men could join your hypothetical game of children gambling lol.
and heavy-weight fighters should be able to join in to fight lightweight fighters,
and young men join the senior games, etc.

as Debi explained it is not about anything but women getting to play against women so they can be comfortable learning poker and the live setting. giving them the confidence to join regular games, hence the next big boom in poker.
exactly as you stated it should be.

"I don't even think it is (or should be) about gender, but rather creative ways to expand the popularity of the game and finding ways to make the community more friendly and good for poker. Just my opinion... "

 

[Shells]

For anyone who might be remotely interested, Chris Wallace (CardsChat contributor) has a follow-up article on his friend, Tom Hammers.

You can check it out here >>> https://www.cardschat.com/forum/pok...-man-who-played-in-2021-a-493172/#post6181840

 

[zerosalex]

I never understand mens event, women's events. Seniors events. That's like racist in the poker world. Its should be all 18+ or 21+.

 

[mina271]

There are always times when men or women want to stay among themselves and when it comes to a men's or women's evening then there doesn't seem to be a problem, but when it comes to poker and we women want to be among each other, then suddenly there are quite a few men have problems with it and try to sneak into the women's tournaments. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter what the intentions were for me, it just means that you don't show any respect, and I also assume that this was a trick to show women that men are better. There are also women's tournaments at pokerstars and I rarely play them because a few years ago I found out that men also play secretly there. I have no problem playing against men, but I have a problem with people breaking the rules on purpose. And if the title of a tournament says women tournament then there should only be women. The fact is that there are fewer women who play poker than men and then disturbing such events is just a no go for me

 

[Shells]

Having a ladies event is not stating that men and women are not equal. It has absolutely nothing to do with that.

It is all about trying to get more women to play poker - which is great for the game. I support ladies events 100%.

A lot of women are not comfortable learning to play poker with men. Men treat us differently and with a whole lot less respect. It is way worse than you can imagine unless you are woman who has experienced it over and over again.

Some women play 1 time and never play again. We want to change that.

I never understand mens event, women's events. Seniors events. That's like racist in the poker world. Its should be all 18+ or 21+.

Debi's post pretty much lays out the premise of the Ladies Events...so this might help to understand.

 

[AzdajaD]

Having a ladies event is not stating that men and women are not equal. It has absolutely nothing to do with that.

It is all about trying to get more women to play poker - which is great for the game. I support ladies events 100%.

A lot of women are not comfortable learning to play poker with men. Men treat us differently and with a whole lot less respect. It is way worse than you can imagine unless you are woman who has experienced it over and over again.

Some women play 1 time and never play again. We want to change that.

I 100% agree with Debi!

 

[jaymfc]

It is all about trying to get more women to play poker - which is great for the game.
A lot of women are not comfortable learning to play poker with men.

Some women play 1 time and never play again. We want to change that.

For anyone who might be remotely interested, Chris Wallace (CardsChat contributor) has a follow-up article on his friend, Tom Hammers.

You can check it out here >>> https://www.cardschat.com/forum/pok...-man-who-played-in-2021-a-493172/#post6181840

great article, well written, and definitely makes his point.
and Tom seems like a genuinely good guy with good intentions of just having fun.
but it changes the outcome, it changes the dynamics of the table and some women may have been affected.
in my experience playing live there have always been women at the table and 99% of them had skills and feared no man.
but a ladies-only event is about those women who may be less skilled, less fearless of men players for whatever reason,
and just want to try poker out.
the next poker boom will be the large number of women who join the ranks after getting accustomed to live play.
In my mind, it's just not a good idea to disrupt a ladies event even with the best intentions JMO

 

[SpanRmonka]

For me, in this case it seems like the guy himself, and the writer of the article want us to understand and to respect his good intentions and his character. This is fine to a point.

At the same time however, he didn't respect, or even considering the intentions of the event and its importance to women. That is male privilege right there.

The fact he's a lovely bloke and offered to buy drinks blah blah just isn't relevant, sorry.

As men, I believe we are all guilty of it at times, but if you're not prepared to have a think, and learn from reactions of others, even if you consider them over the top or extreme, then you're not trying hard enough!

 

[DS3]

great article, well written, and definitely makes his point.
and Tom seems like a genuinely good guy with good intentions of just having fun.
but it changes the outcome, it changes the dynamics of the table and some women may have been affected.
in my experience playing live there have always been women at the table and 99% of them had skills and feared no man.
but a ladies-only event is about those women who may be less skilled, less fearless of men players for whatever reason,
and just want to try poker out.
the next poker boom will be the large number of women who join the ranks after getting accustomed to live play.
In my mind, it's just not a good idea to disrupt a ladies event even with the best intentions JMO

Agree but the article did not hack it for me. It's seldom going to be credible when springing to the defense of a 'good friend' to attempt the fair and balanced routine.

'The hyper-woke crowd can be vicious'- seriously? Who would that be, women at a tourney? The poker press and players?

 

[Murchik]

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?
And if you haven’t tried gambling yet, here are 6-tokens-of-gold slots https://classic-slots.cl/tragamonedas/6-tokens-of-gold , I think it will be interesting to get acquainted!
Here’s a short and balanced article from Casino Org Blog noting the history of women in poker and the difficulties they have faced.

There is truth in this

 

[Poker Orifice]

I never understand mens event, women's events. Seniors events. That's like racist in the poker world. Its should be all 18+ or 21+.

Let me guess... you're male, ~26yrs. of age.

It is not like 'racist'. As far as I know, 'seniors' is not a race, women are not a separate race (although at times... ).
I believe you're looking for the word 'discrimination'. But I would disagree with you on that 100%.

Why not have a game for seniors? You're probably not aware of this but the 'seniors' event(s) draw in many thousands of players. In Vegas during wsop, during the week of the Seniors event, the other casinos & series are also holding seniors events during that same week but on different days. It brings out a huge crowd on it's own. I can imagine Joe Oldguy, 73yrs. old might not feel overly comfortable playing on tables with Jerry GTO, Seany Shove/Fold, & Ian ICM. (or maybe he does and pretends he doesn't???).

Whatever draws people out. Whatever enables people to have fun. Whatever opens doors for people to compete (especially when they might normally being doing so) then 'Why not!?' (there is no good reason against it imo)

 

[MK_]

Man Crashes WSOP Ladies Event for Attention.... there fixed it,
.... this has been done before most notably by Shaun Deeb,
if they truly wanted to support charity there are plenty of ways to do that
without making a mockery of themselves and a game intended for women

 

[marco antonio]

I would have felt sorry for it. It's an event for ladies how does that do it! What they would have done is not let him pay the entrance fee!! And take it out.!!

 

[MrHachiman]

I know it has nothing to do with the purpose of the topic but...
Ladies event? what is the logic behind that? Sounds like positive discrimination to me.
What would you think if there was a "men only" event?

 

[G0930]

I never understand mens event, women's events. Seniors events. That's like racist in the poker world. Its should be all 18+ or 21+.

Gender is not a race 🤣🤣🤣
If anything you could say it's sexist.
Technically it's against the principle of equality but serious dude...men have no right to complain about equality .
It's only been some decades since women were allowed to vote.. (Western countries )

However I can't understand why men complaining about poker events for women .. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[G0930]

I know it has nothing to do with the purpose of the topic but...
Ladies event? what is the logic behind that? Sounds like positive discrimination to me.
What would you think if there was a "men only" event?

We already have plenty of that lol .
You might have noticed that far fewer female pokerplayers exist.

 

[G0930]

While Tom Hammers' intentions were good as he entered the WSOP Ladies Event, there are some who may have thought differently.

Seems appropriate for this gif

PS : my love for Bill Hader is eternal 😅🤣

 

[MrHachiman]

Gender is not a race 🤣🤣🤣
If anything you could say it's sexist.
Technically it's against the principle of equality but serious dude...men have no right to complain about equality .
It's only been some decades since women were allowed to vote.. (Western countries )

However I can't understand why men complaining about poker events for women .. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

"man have no right to complain about equality"? what are you talking about?
Your analysis of the reality sounds very simplist.
Maybe it's as you say, or maybe men and women had different roles throughout history motivated by: natural biological differences, roles for survival and procreation, among many other factors. It doesn't sound like any privilege to me that men had to die in senseless wars throughout history. To this day, it happens in Ukraine and Russia. Do you think that no man has the right to complain because he is forced to kill and die for his country? Does that sound like a privilege?
I could talk about many other problems that men face, such as risky jobs, for which no one claims equality of quota or gender. But, man, to believe that all men are in an advantageous position and cannot claim anything in the middle of the 21st century because women have also faced other problems throughout history, is simply too naive. Black and white reality.

We already have plenty of that lol .
You might have noticed that far fewer female pokerplayers exist.

They do not exist, any woman has free entry to an event where men participate. That there is no free choice of people, is not the same. Do you also want to determine the free will of women to be interested in poker?

 

[TeUnit]

I don't like it, they are trying to grow the game and attract more women to play. Deeb already did this and now he wants to be the moral compass of poker. Men playing ladies events does not encourage more women to play, it just makes a couple of men look like jerks.

 

[WellAA]

Paying 10x more to play the same tourney I guess, many women would like to see more men on these events.