As a woman who began playing poker in the early 90’s on the smoky Riverboats of Louisiana, I was almost always the only woman at the table and often the only woman in the poker room. Other than my weekly friendly game, the Mirage poker room in Las Vegas (before the Bellagio opened) was the only time I played with other women. It wasn’t always easy being the only woman in the game. Nor was it easy being excluded from a friendly game that instituted a No Vagina Rule because some new fish didn’t want his wife to play. While sexist remarks at the poker table were uncomfortable at times, I’ve also seen cheating, robberies, fights, guns, racism, and five of nine opponents having a piece of each others action.

Of the four WSOP Ladies events in which I’ve played, I paid for one and was backed in three. Had I been given the choice to choose the event… it certainly wouldn’t have been the Ladies event. It’s not that I’m unsupportive of the Ladies event; yet, I’m not exactly supportive of it either. Reason being, who am I to say what someone should do with their time and money? Who am I to persuade another’s belief? Yet, sometimes I can’t help myself to reverse the role and think… as a woman, how would I feel if there were a Men’s-only event and no Ladies event? And so, I ponder the annual WSOP gender dilemma, not forming strong opinions one way or the other, but with some basic, recurring thoughts that to me seem like matters of common sense:

• Gender Specific Events: It’s only equal that men are given their own event held at the same time with the same buy-in, structure, extra prizes and treatment. If men are unable to play with their own gender, then they’re being singled out. Sorry to burst any bubbles but if men aren’t afforded the same opportunity…then we’re hypocrites and the Ladies event should be dissolved.
• Dissenting Opinions: As they say in Texas, opinions are like assholes … everyone’s got one. Chastising other’s opinions is expecting someone else to comply with our own view. That’s not equality, it’s not freedom to choose. It’s a childish tantrum of needing to be right. Last time I checked, the WSOP wasn’t located in a Communist country. And this gender crap is turning into a narcissistic dictatorship over a piece of jewelry. A good friend of mine always asked me…do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? I won’t bore you with details on my own happiness, but I will tell you that I heard a lot of unhappy complaining this weekend.
• Men Playing the Ladies Event: Seems to me if you want change then go through the appropriate corporate channels. It’s quite simple, either be part of the solution or be part of the problem. Now we have drama, potential legal issues and remind me again… was someone seriously injured?
• Generation Gaps: I’m Generation X, raised with guys who knew they would compete with me in many areas of life. My grandmother…not so much. While my mother paid for her own country club membership and had to fight for the right to play golf on Men Only Tuesday, I know my grandmother wouldn’t have done the same. If I accept older generations to be set in their ways, why not on the felt?
• The Transition Tournament: Just like relationships, transitional situations can hinder us. The best way to truly grow in poker is experience. How is it possible to become comfortable playing with men if you don’t actually play with men? The only evolution possible here is if women are afraid of dealers, cards and tournament directors.
• Rude Behavior: If we support women playing their very own special event because men make them uncomfortable…then what do we do about the women who humiliated the men? Sure, some of the attention seeking men relished in the short lived stardom, but I’m not so sure I can support women humiliating others regardless of what they have done. Period. Maybe we should ask 300 men to do the exact same thing to a woman when she’s eliminated from an open event. I mean, this is almost like punching a man in the face and when he hits back…play victim. If we’re fighting for equality, then no one should be humiliated.

Everyone has their own path to follow. Some take longer than others to progress. It’s insulting to assume women who play the Ladies event are incapable of thinking for themselves or are less skilled players so in the end…live and let live because trial and error is a priceless education. It’s unfortunate that so much of what I’ve read and heard makes me wonder if anyone is aware of what’s going on in the world outside the Rio. But, since it’s late and I’m deliriously tired (after just a brief couple stints at the WSOP) I will take this opportunity to say this…It was experiencing the male poker bullies who inevitably made my comfort level what it is today. So, I’d like to say…thank you, assholes.

And speaking of sorry and poker, on Wednesdays you can join the Bluff Poker League at Carbon Poker for a chance to win a 2008 WSOP seat. Eric Morris, publisher of Bluff Magazine, told me today that he plays on Carbon Poker when he’s not busy playing Sorry! or Chutes and Ladders.

This is nothing like the rumor I heard of a guy walking into an apartment to find two guys playing four accounts in the same online cash game. I’ve been warned many times by pros and online industry people to stick with heads up and multi-table tournaments.

Warning to ladies…you may find this offensive. Watch at your own risk.

If this creates more confusion then feel free to ask questions.

The ever-pretty Erica Schoenberg, who hosted along with Eli Elezra, Evelyn Ng, Lisa Wheeler and David Benyamine, took down first prize, which was a seat into the 2008 WSOP main event. Click here for the story, photos and ways to donate.

Suzie and I played on the same table in the 2007 WSOP ladies event. With so many new ladies to the game, I may have been one of the few to know she had won the ladies event back to back in 1996 and 1997.

From Ms. Poker’s site:

September 6-8 – Lake Austin Spa – I will be teaching a Texas Hold’em Seminar in Texas, Austin to be exact. A fun way to learn the game or improve your game. Packages include being totally pampered all day every day, great food, new friends, and spa treatments. In a word, terrific! Call 1-800-847-5637 for prices.

While there are plenty of pretty people in poker that are really, really good looking, a deep breath may be your reaction to this hot player getting naked. And no, it’s not Patrik Antonius who has some nice photos on his website here.

Head over to The Poker Biz for the nudest news.

Photo of not-a-poker-player Derek Zoolander.

I won’t spoil the show by telling you who won but for those of you that need to know check out the results here from Pokernews.com. This episode should offer some good drama if you know what I mean.
More from the ESPN Poker Club here.

The schedule for the 2007-08 WSOP Circuit includes:

Property Dates*
Grand Casino Tunica Aug. 29-Sept. 13, 2007
Caesars Indiana Oct. 17-Nov. 2, 2007
Harvey’s Tahoe Nov. 3-13, 2007
Harrah’s New Orleans Nov. 26-Dec. 5, 2007
Harrah’s Atlantic City Dec. 8-18, 2007
Grand Casino Tunica Jan. 3-22, 2008
Harrah’s Rincon San Diego North Jan. 27-Feb. 7, 2008
Horseshoe Council Bluffs Feb. 18-27, 2008
Caesars Atlantic City Mar. 5-15, 2008
Caesars Indiana Apr. 2-16, 2008
Caesars Palace Las Vegas April 20-May 1, 2008
Harrah’s New Orleans May 9-21, 2008

And in unrelated rumors…No, I’m not moving to Vegas and no, I’m not pregnant. I just ate a lot of peanut M & M’s in Vegas.

I’m not sure if this is the same Elvis that gave me away at my wedding ten years ago but they do have the same hair. All Elvis look alike anyway.

So last night when I checked my email, added some goofy photos, looked at other’s profiles and lost track of time in the deep dark hole of the networking giant I came across Jennicide’s Bulletin:

Vote for me in Las Vegas Weekly’s Beautiful Person Contest!!

Hi Everyone! I’m back in Delaware visiting my family and friends for a bit, but I’ve been selected to be in Las Vegas Weekly’s Beautiful Person contest for the week. Click the link below and vote!
VOTE HERE! Las Vegas Weekly’s Beautiful Person Contest
(You don’t HAVE to vote for me, my competitor is a hottie too, but I’d appreciate the support!!)
xoxo

This competition brought to mind an old poem I wrote back at the 2007 WSOP:

Hey Jen

Where have you been?

You went missing at the World Series

Costing you a potential big win!

Jennifer and I had a chance to reunite outside the Amazon room at the beginning of the WSOP this year. While she and I were visiting, a young drunk (early twenties) guy started hitting on Jen and it soon became a typical moment when he learned we were there as players. He probably spent ten dollars on cocktails, fifty-five on a new shirt, spent zero to approach a pretty girl but asking Jennicide if she ever played online poker was priceless. Even more I liked playing stupid when I asked her “oh-my-gosh, you play online poker? I didn’t know you played online.

Good luck Jen, maybe this will be a win. But seriously, where have you been?

Now scroll down for Tom’s serious post.

According to Harrah’s Release:

Octavius Tower

The heart of the Caesars Palace expansion is the Octavius Tower, located along Flamingo Road on the southeast corner of the Caesars property. The new Octavius Tower will include:

665-room, 23-story hotel tower rising 350 feet;
594 hotel guest rooms (floor plans from 600 square feet);
19 1 1/2-bay suites;
41 two- or three-bay suites;
4 four-bay suites;
3 five-bay suites;
1 six-bay suite; and
3 lavish pool villa suites.
Named for the great-nephew of Julius Caesar, who later changed his name to Augustus, the $375 million Octavius Tower will adjoin and resemble the resort’s Augustus Tower that opened in August 2005 with a new hotel registration lobby and VIP check-in lounges. In addition to convenient access from the hotel lobby and VIP reception areas, Octavius guests also will enjoy panoramic views and direct entry to swimming pools and gardens.

In addition to the new Octavius Tower, the resort’s existing 512-room Forum Tower will undergo a major refurbishment. A regal new front entrance and expanded valet parking will open to expansive new casino interior decor, inviting guests to a remodeled buffet restaurant, redesigned Cypress Street Marketplace casual restaurant and enlarged Race & Sports Book.

Wow, doesn’t this sound exciting? Not sure if they will offer any of the round beds with mirrors on the ceiling that Caesars had in the older days but I’m sure the new rooms will be nice. Perhaps this is to get ready for the WSOP relocation? If so, I may actually miss the Tilted Kilt (even though they don’t serve dessert).

Every morning I made the right choice of the media room to set up shop and claim my spot. I can only wonder if everyone else had the same thoughts during the long haul of the hallway…Will there be a stranger in my seat? Will I be able to get a seat? Has someone eaten the last chocolate croissant?
These questions would remain unanswered if you didn’t posses the goods (a media badge) to pass through security (at least the first and last week of the 2007 WSOP).

John was our afternoon security guard who smiled, waved and always asked how we were doing.

John, who was in the ARMY and recently moved to Vegas, liked Gary Wise the best of the media crowd because he was “funny.”

Gary, seen holding an ice cream cone in photo, said it was mostly because he gave him the knuckle thing. What is that hand thing called? You know, the one that’s like a high five/hand shake but avoids germs by just touching knuckles?

Congratulations Gary! You made John’s job enjoyable.

The field has dwindled, the celebrities are gone, the halls are quiet and the only line you’ll see here is senior citizens at the buffet at 6pm. A handful of pros are still fighting for gold but the rest are new faces looking to be the new champ. There is still a buzz in the Amazon…all-in players standing on chairs with ten ESPN cameras zooming around, clapping, slapping on backs and the occasional waiter calling water, coffee, red bull? Gary Wise and Lacey Jones are still with camera but Mr. Peanut is gone.

Don’t fret…WSOP Europe will offer three bracelets in London this fall. Hmmm, London or Tunica? Tunica or London? For now, the closest I’ll be to London is flying over Big Ben on the Peter Pan ride as I’m off to Disneyland with my children.

As always…I don’t leave Vegas without getting a bit sappy with this below…

I was disappointed to read David Levi busted but on the contrary found him on break holding 360k in chips. I watched him lay down AK yesterday against JJ and 8c 6c. The 86er turned a straight and David’s lay down allowed him to return today.

Speaking of jacks, Neil “Bad Beat” Channing just picked them up and cracked aces giving him a hefty stack of about 550k.

Others – Gary Friedlander from Houston is still in the game with around 350k. And finally, Germany’s Andreas Krause (the guy that Dan refers to as “Michele’s Swede”) is holding his own as well as Gus Hansen.

Things are getting exciting as camera’s are on almost every table waiting to find this year’s champ.

On the way to dinner John Duthie said he had about 160k. Duthie picked up pocket aces in the big blind with Gus Hansen on the button… but everyone folded. A fine example of not giving up is David Levi who is still working a short stack despite starting Day 2 with only 15k in chips.

Sexy (did I say that outloud?) Fabrice Soulier (….but not as sexy as my husband) is stacked at 325k. Fabrice took 7th against Hellmuth’s 11th bracelet win earlier this summer when the temperature was still in the 90′s.

Mimi Tran (long overdue to be on WPT Ladies Night) and Shirley Williams (sponsored by Bodog) are still in the tournament. Shirley’s table was filmed briefly by ESPN which should provide fun footage as Gavin Smith was on her left.

LAS VEGAS – There were 797 players ready to take their seats at noon today. Still able to go for the gold as of 3:30pm PT are JC Tran, John Duthie – Mr. EPT (see photo), Gus Hansen, Huck Seed, Gavin Smith, Sorel Mizzi, Mimi Tran, Fabrice Soulier, Shirley Williams (David’s mom) and Tobey “Spiderman” Maguire.

Thor Hansen, who rocked this series, is playing today as well as Amnon Filippi (4th in H.O.R.S.E.), Allen Cunningham, Chad Brown, Carlos Mortenson, Chris Ferguson, Chip Jett, Humberto Brenes, JC Tran, looks mean but really a sweetie pie Eric Buchman has about 80k and George Costanza AKA Jason Alexander will get some main event action.

Recent eliminations include David Plastik, Phil Gordon, Joe Sebok, Evenlyn Ng, Tom Schneider, James Van Alstyne and Vicki Coren. No one seems to know if Jennicide played wearing lingerie, in fact, we’re not sure if she played the Main Event at all.

Other notables are Houston’s Ted Leva, Bobby Baldwin (see photo), Bruno Fitoussi, Neil Channing, Robert Mizrachi and Tobey Maguire. They are down to 386 players and will play down to 350 tonight “no matter what.”

BTW – I announced Liger in the media room and someone from not America said “Did you say Liger? I didn’t know anyone knew they existed, I know a lot about Ligers!”