Year of the Woman...........

This has been a banner year for women in the poker world. Annie winning the Heads Up Championship, Liv Bouree's win at San Remo, Vanessa Selbst at NAPT and Vanessa Rousso's deep runs in other events have all eyes focused on the WSOP for more skins on the wall for the girls.

We will all be watching to see how Annette fares in Las Vegas this summer and see if our favorite chicks keep the trend going and if some new stars will emerge. The Hag has some great expectations.

All of the poker world should be celebrating this trend......all you young male players that only want to see the cute, young women do well and then not give credit for their ability.......you should be cheering on all the women that play. It could possibly bring in a new wave of $$$ into the poker pool.

The great thing has been that many of these events have been shown on TV so the female presence is being seen by the general public, not just the poker players. What many do not realize is that there are more women playing and interested in poker than you think. Also what many do not realize is that women have money to spend and will spend on things that they are interested in and on entertainment in general.

Women like to play games and can be pretty competitive, some more than others. Females in general will play in a different manner...some may say are nittier. This is not to say that aggression cannot be part of the game.....it is just different.

The best thing that could happen in poker would be for an average middle aged woman to win a major event. The more " mature" women will come out of the woodwork....they are playing in pub leagues, home games and casinos all over the place and have been for years. No telling how many would come into the more high profile events if they saw a major success by one of their own.

There are many reasons that the full force of a potential female movement has not taken place yet. Some are not comfortable going to casinos and may feel intimidated in a mostly male atmosphere and that is likely to never change. For others who have read the books, gone to the web for information and join forums and read blogs which are dominated by 20-30 year old guys who have little regard for any female that is not a supermodel, the general attitude is discouraging.......and stops those who can afford to play cash games and tournaments to stay home.

You guys out there just do not realize the huge surge in players and money that would come into poker if this segment of the population was encouraged not discouraged from joining in..........boys.....it is your loss.