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The Power You Hold as a Woman at the Poker Table -
As the night progressed, I was never more then $15 over my buy in. I was a beginner, so I hardly knew when to bet, raise or fold. Certainly didn’t know how to read other players. I was still in the mode where I only knew where I was in the hand and never even heard of pot odds. A couple of hours into the game, a gentleman across the table said something that would change my game forever. He was a scruffy, dirty man, about 55 I’d say. His belt buckle was bigger then my chip stack (we are in Texas remember). He said: “Sweetheart, why don’t you just fold and save your money. I would feel horrible if I took money from a little girl.” Ugh, “Sweetheart”? “Little
girl”?
I was furious. I mucked my hand, asked for a rack and went home.
When I
walked in the door to my apartment, I felt so defeated. I had felt
like I was singled out and was embarrassed. This was a turning point
for me. I could have either walked away from poker, or I could learn
from the experience. I was fascinated by this game, and wanted to
be a player. So, I worked through the emotions and decided I was
going to play no matter what someone said to me at a table. As a woman at a poker table, you are different. It’s true. You are a minority. But, you have to use it to your advantage. Find a persona you can work with. My personality at a poker table is the chatter box. I talk at every chance I get. Most guys love a woman at a poker table that will give them the time of day. I’ve used this persona to gain mass amounts of information about players. You can find out how they speak when they are telling the truth. You can find out what makes them uncomfortable. You can even put them on tilt by not shutting up. Other personas I have seen used are the “dumb” girl, the shy girl, the sexy girl, or the ultra serious girl. The “dumb” girl, I can’t do that one, but I have seen a lot of money earned with it. “Oh, I only have the nuts…” Love those, just can’t do it myself. The shy girl surprises people. She doesn’t say a word for an hour and then she mutters, “Raise”. The table will go silent, and every man’s face will go white. The sexy girl, well, I think you get the hint with that one. The ultra serious persona is one I will use on rare occasion. It’s the gal with the iPod, sunglasses and a face of stone. She’s been playing for a while and will take your money. Another factor of your game you can use to your advantage is that there is a stereotype that women will call your bet, no matter what. Supposedly, we are “curious creatures” and “just have to see what you are holding”. I play a trick sometimes where if I don’t hit my draw by the river and there is a bet to me, I will ponder like all get-out, saying things like “Gosh, I really want to know what you have.” Or “I think I have you beat.” It might make them recall this stereotype and make them more cautious to bet next time. Also, in the first few rounds of a game I haven’t played in before, I might call a small amount of money off with middle pair. By showing down a small or middle pair, it entices players that you will call off chips with the not-so-best hand. It will get players into a pot when you have monsters. If you play at home games on a regular basis, try switching up personas. Keep them on their toes. In my poker journal, I usually try to keep track of what my table image was. Was I talkative, was I quiet, what I wore. All of this things can gain you power at a poker table. Use these points along with your intuition and build your bankroll.
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