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Many people consider poker to be just another game of chance, placing it in the same category with games such as craps, blackjack, or roulette. However, poker is as much about skill as it is about luck. In fact, good poker players know exactly what combination of cards is worth playing, and which ones should be folded and left on the table. While the cards you are dealt, may come to you through random chance, the way that you play them is what can set you apart from other players.
For many years, women were rarely seen at the poker tables of card rooms and casinos across the country and around the world. Did this mean that women were less skilled than men were? Less practiced, perhaps, but top players like Annie Duke have shown that women can easily compete with the "big boys," and many women now rank among the best poker players in the world.
What kept many women away from poker was the hostility they often met when sitting down at a poker table. With online poker, women are allowed to play poker free of the innuendos and intolerance they faced in the past. To make things even easier, women can play as men with none of their fellow players the wiser. Online poker has opened up the game of poker to women like never before, and more and more women are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Women from all age groups and lifestyles are playing online poker, and to maximize your winnings and minimize your risk, you can do a few things:
Read the website's regulations to make sure you know the rules of the game you are playing. Even though it may look familiar, the website creators may have changed that particular site so before you play, look through all of the information and remember that if you do not know the rules of the game you should not be playing.
Choose your gender. If you feel more comfortable playing as a man, then do so. Just keep in mind that there are advantages to playing as a woman. Because of the traditional (and downright wrong) stereotypes surrounding women and poker, you may receive special treatment as a woman player. Many male players may treat you like a "little lady" and think you are not worthy of their respect, a fact you can prove to them by winning a few good pots.
Know when to fold your card. There are many good hands in poker, but the vast majority of the hands you will see are going to be unplayable. A good player folds around 90% of the time, knowing that the cards they have will not bring them a big pot. While folding a hand will never win you money, it can be one of the most valuable skills to learn because it keeps you from losing money.
Do not play with money you do not have. A huge danger of online gaming is that they accept credit cards. While it is great to have the convenience to play whenever you want, you should always set limits on how much money you are willing to lose. Many women have found out the hard way that borrowing money to gamble online can lead to financial ruin. Therefore, have fun, but be careful you do not risk too much!
