One of the most interesting emails I have received on this site came from San Diego, CA. Here it is for your enjoyment.
'Dear Geno,' the letter reads. 'Several female students and I formed an all-girls poker club at our college in San Diego. I don't know how good we are but we read Doyle Brunson's book, 'Super System,' which I found at a used book store. For the last three months we have been practicing playing in our dorm. Do you think we're ready for Las Vegas and what advice would you give us once we got there? Daphne F., San Diego, CA.'
All I can say to Daphne is I wish I were in Las Vegas to greet them when they arrive in town.
Despite the feminist movement to gain equality for women, female poker players are different from the guys.
I am not a male chauvinist who insists the male players are better because we guys make mistakes at a poker table just like women do.
While no woman has ever won the World Series of Poker, some have come pretty close. Players like Annie Duke, Jennifer Harmon, and Vanessa Selbst can hold their own with most of the guys who find themselves at their table.
But with all this said, I don't think women have used all their wiles to triumph in this once male-dominated game.
I have promoted Mike Caro's book, 'Poker For Women,' in the past on this website and I will mention it again. Caro offers good advice that he borrowed from his wife, Phyllis, a world champion player. Here are a few of my observations of what Daphne and her girlfriends should do when they sit down at a poker game.
First, dress fit to kill.
That's right. Make yourself as visually female and attractive as possible. Anytime you can distract a poker player from his game; you have gained an edge that could prove invaluable when it comes to winning a pot.
Second, use good perfume. The more expensive, the better.
Third, act like you don't understand the game. There is nothing a male poker player likes better than showing his skill at poker -- especially to an attractive female.
Fourth, use the techniques Doyle Brunson, and his fellow authors have outlined in 'Super System.' The book is decades old, but it's still one of the best poker books ever written.
Fifth, laugh, giggle and act like females at play. You'll have fun, and the guys will love you for it.
Sixth, have a good time. It is part of poker and it will set you apart from most of the other players in the room.
Seventh, when you manage to get a killer hand, show no mercy. The game playing is over and it's time to pull the trigger.
When your session is done, smile, thank the other players, collect your chips and go to the cashier's cage. The guys will respect you even though some of them will realize they have been had. That's the way girl power has always worked and it's especially effective in poker.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
