Online Poker Chips Away At Sexual Stereotypes

Women are being increasingly attracted to the excitement of online poker. Many professional women now shop extensively online and it's natural that they should explore other ways of having fun and spending their money online.

According to the UK's fastest growing poker website, Victor Chandler Poker (http://www.vcpoker.com), it's no longer just a man's game. One in six new players joining Victor Chandler Poker is female ? up from virtually zero just 2 years ago. The typical female player tends to be between 24 and 25, internet savvy, shops online and has a professional business career.

Why women are taking up online poker

There are 5 main reasons why women are taking up online poker:

• Poker is gaining a lot of media attention. TV games shows, high-profile tournaments and the traditional portrayal of poker in film and TV gives the game a glamorous, exciting image.

• More and more women are playing the game professionally. The success of women players listed on the Women's Poker Hall of Fame has created some powerful role models.

• The web creates a safe environment. Logging on to a poker website is nowhere near as intimidating as walking into a male-dominated casino. Good online poker rooms are moderated, mostly by women.

• Online poker caters for the novice player in a way that was not possible before the web. First, the anonymity means no-one has to worry about looking stupid. Second, there are extensive tips, articles and tutorials online that rapidly educate the novice player.

• Games can be played just for fun or for small stakes. One fear is getting into a game where the stakes are continually rising. But fixed cost games mean that if women want to bet, they know exactly how much they stand to win or lose.

Anecdotal evidence from the gambling industry suggests that traditional female traits such as assessing difficult situations, taking in information from multiple sources, make women ideal poker players.

But do women really make good poker players?

Research from Cambridge Professor, Simon Baron-Cohen in his book "The Essential Difference" suggests that men and women do show different personality traits. These traits undoubtedly influence how both men and women play poker.

Professor Baron-Cohen identified three brain types ? the female brain, the male brain and the balanced brain:

• In the female brain called the E-type, empathizing is the dominant characteristic

• In the male brain called the S-type, systemizing is the dominant characteristic

• In the balanced brain called the B-type, both characteristics are finely balanced.

According to Professor Baron-Cohen the female/male difference is not absolute but on average, more women have E-type brains and more men have S-type brains. His conclusions:

• Women tend to be better at decoding non-verbal communication, picking up subtle nuances and judging a person's character. Even online, players exhibit certain 'poker tells' that can indicate the strength of their hands.

• Introduced to new situations, women will stand and watch while men rush in, trying to be the centre of attention. The ability to observe and assess other players before joining in brings an advantage

• Males show more direct aggression while women tend to show indirect aggression.

Women are becoming more aggressive

And if that was not enough to intimidate the male poker player, research from Purdue University suggests that they will face even stiffer competition from women in the future.

Social psychology Professor Amanda Dickman surveyed over 800 adults on the personality characteristics of men and women and found that women are increasingly exhibiting personality traits typically associated with males.

According to Dickman, "Women are perceived as having become much more assertive, independent, and competitive over the years."

The future of women's poker online

Research shows that women do indeed have certain personality traits that predispose them to be good poker players. Add to this a layer of aggression and experience and it seems inevitable that potent and successful women poker players will emerge.

Online poker websites have already noted a significant growth in women players. The market savvy among them will be quick to see the opportunity and provide facilities and tournaments to encourage more women to play.

About The Author

Written by Simon Prodger, Product Marketing Manager, Victor Chandler Poker, the UK's fastest growing online poker website, http://www.vcpoker.com

Simon.Prodger@vc-bs.com

Casino gambling dilema's and morals
Corsavoo.com, France - 8 hours ago
That is the wrong attitude and the wrong mindset when entering a casino. Wether that be online or at a brick and mortar venue. Casino gambling should always ...
Gambling at Inter casino and Online Casino Corsavoo.com
all 2 news articles

KNSS
Harrah's can move forward with casino
Kansas.com, KS - 21 hours ago
13, 2009, and to refrain from owning or managing a casino in Kansas until Jan. 13, 2010. Harrah's has argued that gambling in the state was expanded by the ...
Judge rules in tribal casino case Hays Daily News
Harrah's Ordered Not To Use Customer Base For Kansas Casino Casino Gambling Web
all 23 news articles

Opponents say casino issue could affect Eastern Shawnee
LimaOhio.com, OH - 4 hours ago
"The only way this helps us directly is that, if this passes, it shows that attitudes are shifting and seeing that (casino gambling) is all around us and ...

EOG.com
Atlantic City eyes new casino far from others
The Associated Press - Sep 4, 2008
Now in an effort to survive withering competition from Pennsylvania and New York slots parlors, the city is considering expanding casino gambling into areas ...
Atlantic City Expanding Gambling Area With Penn National Casino Casino Gambling Web
all 93 news articles

Governor Patrick Says No To Tribal Casino Talk
Casino Gambling Web, FL - 9 hours ago
Governor Duval Patrick had his casino gambling proposal shot down by the legislature in Massachusetts shortly after he took office. ...
Patrick rejects casino proposal Boston Globe
Gov. Deval Patrick won’t start casino talks with tribe Boston Herald
Patrick says casino talks with tribe premature WHDH-TV
all 16 news articles

Gaming commission issues violation notice
Newsday, NY - Sep 3, 2008
BUFFALO, NY - The National Indian Gaming Commission has issued a notice of violation against the temporary Seneca Buffalo Creek casino following a federal ...
Casino's good fortune in limbo WIVB
Seneca Nation Appeals NIGC Shutdown Notice GamblingCompliance.com
Judge issues mixed ruling in Buffalo casino case News from Indian Country
Salamanca Press - Casino Gambling Weball 36 news articles

Tribal Online Casino Drawing The Attention Of State Regulators
Casino Gambling Web, FL - 28 minutes ago
The state of California is intent on being a leader in the field of casino gambling. They have expanded their casino offerings and are continuing to ...

Gambling panel plans to review Sycuan game
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 17 hours ago
Background: About 217 gambling machines at the Sycuan casino are based on bingo but can be played with a single touch of a button. ...
REGION: Pauma tribe offers virtual casino North County Times
all 2 news articles

• State House candidates debate
The Republican - MassLive.com, MA - 16 hours ago
Walsh said gambling would not bring the number of jobs predicted, and a casino in the area would create "an infrastructure nightmare. ...

Deal Me In: Card counting isn't all that it's cracked up to be
Casino City Times, MA - 17 hours ago
... Mike Goodman in his book, Guide to Casino Gambling, Your Best Bet, put it neatly when he said, "Many so-called experienced 21 players don't know their ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Please Help My Husband, Wife, Partner, Spouse, or Other Family Member to Stop Gambling