Damnit ESPN

Why did you televise the whole ladies hold em tournament instead of the Omaha hi/lo tournament that annie duke won? It's great that you are trying to reach out to your female demographic, but at least show the more popular tournament that has a higher prize. Hell, you could've done the cuts back to the women's tournament like you did with the Omaha one, but the Omaha should have been the main tournament to watch.

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Seriously, why is there a womans tournament? There is no physical or mental difference between a man or a woman when it comes to playing poker so why in the world would you seperate the two sexes like that? I just don't get it.

As you probably noticed, Annie Duke also said that she didn't like the women's tournament, which is why she didn't play in it. To paraphrase, she felt like playing in it would be some kind of admission that men are naturally better poker players than women, or that women could not compete with men. Good for Annie...and she made her point by winning the Omaha Hi-Lo.

I definitely agree. Not only that, but they also have that seniors tournament. What's next? Black only tournaments? This is fairly ridiculous, and they need to get rid of these tournaments, at least in the WSOP.

By the way, I would like for them to implement a men's only tournament to watch the uproar of the media of how sexist that is.

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I totally disagree with your opinion. In fact, we have done lots of research on this subject. When it comes to women in poker, a women will enter the world of poker via a womans only event before a mixed event more than 50% of the time on her introduction to poker. (Live play) On the internet, it's more of a annonymous arena and we can't tell men from women unless they want it known so there is a ability to get into poker in a more comfortable enviroment. Women can play pool and such equally well as men, yet there are Women's Leagues and Men's Leagues. Why? Because it's the socialization factor. Women enjoy that interaction that is unique in an all woman's event. That is why we see 400 women show up for a Ladies event. And in that, a large percentage will be first time players. It's a great thing for poker. We want more players and if it comes from this venue, then it can only be a good thing.

And Annie? Not everyone has had an opportunity to be schooled by the professor of poker before walking into a card room! It's no wonder she had no challenge with it. If we had, I doubt there would be as much tripidation as there is . =)

If you have heard many of her tales of when she started in poker, it was a lot more difficult than that snipet of an interview. It's also easier to make statements like that when you have had success in a prodominately male game... she is on top of the poker game at the moment... and she is just beginning! Go Annie!

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In any other sport where there are womens only leagues, but not a men only league under that same umbrella, the men have a distinct advantage in that sport. WNBA, Golf, etc. Like you said, in pool women are as good as the men, but the leagues are men only, and women only (I'm fairly sure on this one).

Women have no physical disadvantage against men in poker. I think we all agree on this fact. Due to this, there shouldn't be a women's only tournament unless there is a men's only tournament as well. I know this won't happen, as there would be an uproar in the poker community if it did. However I don't see why there should be. If the women should get one, the men should. If the men can't have a mens only tournament, the women shouldn't either.

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Perhaps there should be a Men's League.... I think it's a matter of no one putting it together. Might get more response than you think!

I know there are some home games I am not invited to because they are "guys only" and I respect that. So.. em... try it, you might like it!

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For women that love poker!
www.PokerChix.com

ESPN will most likely never show any High/Low games, be it omaha or 7 card stud. The reason for this is the knowledge of the viewers. ESPN would confuse people by putting a % next to each players hand in a game more complicated than hold em.

I would like to point out that the seniors and ladies events are not recognized by the WSOP as official bracelet wins. Also, the ladies event has such a small buy-in, almost no pros would enter. I do not understand why ESPN decided to show it though. (For the record, there is also a casino-employees only event)