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

---

Do You Want to Discover the Three Hidden Secrets of the Poker Playing Professional?

What's the difference between an amateur and a professional when... Read More

Become the Casino of Life Where You Control the Outcome Rather Than Playing the Odds

I want to continue on the subject that I have... Read More

Bookmaking Basics

The role of a 'bookie', the common name of the... Read More

MGM Mirage to build a city on Las Vegas Strip

Plans include a 4,000-room hotel and casino, three 400-room boutique... Read More

Introduction to Texas Holdem Strategy ? 3 Concepts

Concept #1 ? Pot OddsLong-term profits in holdem come from... Read More

No Deposit Online Casino Bonus is for Lucky and Wise Only - The Myth of Free Money

No deposit bonuses are very popular, especially among "not-so-wealthy" online... Read More

Getting the Best Odds on Soccer Betting Markets

There are many ways to bet on a football match.... Read More

Spread Betting Basics

Spread betting is a complicated venture; the statement is nothing... Read More

A Guide to Common Soccer Betting Terms

Accumulator. Sometimes called a parlay. A bet where the winnings... Read More

Texas Holdem Tournament Strategy - Poker Tournament Betting Basics

Welcome to the third in my Texas Holdem Strategy Series,... Read More

How to Win a Million Dollars Without Spending a Lot of Money

I love Major Millions. And realistically speaking, there's not really... Read More

College Football Betting - Point Spreads

But, in the college ranks, you see those types of... Read More

Play Online Baccarat Game

Baccarat - the game of the rich and famous -... Read More

Stay Young- Play Bingo!

Exercise, intellectual stimulation, surgery, meditation or detox ? you name... Read More

Pro Football Betting

Did you know that most recreational bettors don't make a... Read More

My Las Vegas Review

Recently I took ten days off and went to Las... Read More

Wisconsin Casinos, The Top Three

I have been gambling in Wisconsin since I was 16... Read More

College Football Betting - Totals

Betting totals in college football is very different than betting... Read More

Playing Live Casino Poker for the First Time - What You Should Know!

The type of game and the stakes you are going... Read More

Compulsive Gambler Seeks Alternatives To Stop Gambling

Compulsive gambler's life was devastated by gambling and now seeks... Read More

Buying A Thoroughbred: Is It For You?

Buying a thoroughbred can transform a man. Horseracing is the... Read More

Stop Compulsive Gambling Addiction With Education

Through proper education, society can develop programs to stop compulsive... Read More

Your POSITION Of Power In Holdem

In Hold'em poker, the importance of your position in relation... Read More

Online Casinos Give You The Gambling Without the Travel Costs

Although the majority of gamblers would appreciate a trip to... Read More

An Easy Way to Become a Good Blackjack Player

Learning to play the game of casino Blackjack reasonably well... Read More

Roulette - An Easy Method

Here is a very simple method that gives you the... Read More

Addicted Gambler Can Not Stop Gambling Due to Tactful Advertising By Local Gambling Establishments

Gambling has been a form of entertainment since the beginning... Read More

How to Succeed in the Poker Freerolls Part 1

Online poker freerolls are a unique breed amongst poker tournaments... Read More

The Secret of Pushing the Pass Line

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secret of Pushing... Read More

Roulette System: Power of FAST Roulette System

This article is about how you can evaluate the power... Read More

Poker

Americans play Poker in many places such as in casino... Read More

5s in Blackjack

Counting cards in blackjack is a way to increase your... Read More

4 Tips to Improve Your Online Poker Game

Online Poker has increased in popularity exponentially over the past... Read More