A lot has changed in the poker world since it’s humble beginnings in the early 19th Century. Some of the biggest shake ups to the poker include: totally online casinos, casino streaming services and mobile friendly poker rooms. Gambling trends for 2017 indicate “The world is set to see more growth in online sports betting and the online casino industry in 2017 than ever before. Online operators are focused on improving mobile players’ experiences and by utilizing the most modern technology” – Casinos.co
Sadly, the number of women involved in poker has not increased in line with the growth in technology. This hasn’t been helped by claims of bullying and harassment of women at poker tables. Maria Ho a renowned WSOP poker player has spoken out on this subject of bullying in poker “There are still so many women that I talk to on a personal basis that are honestly intimidated to sit down and join a table full of men.”
It is likely Maria Ho’s opinion would deeply sadden the leading poker ladies of the 90’s Barbara Enright and Annie Duke.
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Both Enright and Annie Duke have enjoyed hugely successful poker careers and are strong advocates for women in poker. Fast forward to 2017 and we can see the new wave of top female poker players of today.
Vanessa Selbst
Vanessa Selbst In a class of her own is Vanessa Selbst. First appearing on the poker scene back in 2007, Vanessa Selbst has gone on to achieve phenomenal poker success. After years of competing in top tier tournaments Selbst is the proud winner of 3 WSOP bracelets and is currently the only woman to have done so.
Vanessa Selbst boasts the honour of leading money winner for women in WSOP history. (An honour previously held by poker veteran Annie Duke). As of 2017 her lifetime winnings come in at over $11 million dollars.
Kathy Liebert
Fellow American Kathy Liebert is another top poker player breaking the mould. Reaching her first WSOP table final in 1997 Kathy Liebert has gone from strength to strength. On female poker players Liebert has been noted for saying “I would say that women have all of the skills and in some cases even more of the skills than men in terms of being successful poker players."
Kathy Liebert’s lifetime winnings tip the scales at over $6 million dollars.
Annie Duke
As mentioned above Annie Duke is one of the first women to strike it big in poker. In the early 90’s Duke placed highly in World Series of Poker events earning her first money finishes at the event. Prior to Vanessa Selbst, Duke held the record for most money finishes for women in WSOP history. Unfortunately for Annie Duke she has not escaped controversy in her career and has been locked in a bitter dispute with Daniel Negreanu for over a decade.
Annie Duke’s lifetime earnings from poker stand at over $4 million dollars and is a strong advocate for the Poker Players Alliance.
Maria Ho
Taiwanese national and T.V. celebrity Maria Ho has been a regular face in the poker scene for over a decade. Her most recent accomplishments include placing 42nd at $3,333 WSOP.com Online No Limit Hold’em at this year’s WSOP. Maria Ho has experienced bullying from her male counterparts during her poker career and has spoken out about the issue on many occasions.
Maria Ho’s lifetime winnings come in at over $1 million dollars
Overall, 2017 has been a fantastic year so far for female poker players, it will be interesting to see how 2018 shapes up. One of the most interesting areas to watch will undoubtedly be online casinos where the gender imbalance in poker is less noticeable. In the UK it is estimated that the amount of women playing online poker has risen from 7.8% 2008 to 12.8% in 2014. Although not a huge increase by any means, it may be the start of the rise of the female online poker player.
