A Future for Ladies Poker

By Lilli Kirby

On February 3rd, the Commerce Casino hosted the L.A. Poker Classic (LAPC) $1,000 buy-in ladies event. This was the event that I and many other ladies had been waiting for. As I walked into Commerce that day, I was once more struck by how comfortable I felt. The luxury of this first rate casino just makes one feel at ease. The valet welcomes you with warm regard, like an old friend. Security holds the door. Patrons smile. I’m half expecting someone to break out in song. And naturally, the tournaments are exceptional and well run. Good dealers. Great floor staff. And of course, with Cheri Dokken at the helm, it just makes the whole experience relaxing and familiar -- critical components for winning poker.

$1,000 ladies tournaments are not easy to find. In fact, ladies tournaments above $500 are just not available. But 2007 will be the year to break that trend. The Bicycle Casino is holding a $500 buy-in ladies event for the “Winnin o’ the Green” series, and another $1,000 ladies event is scheduled for August in their “Legends” series. These events are part of the newly launched LPA Pro Tour (LPA Pro Tour). 2007 will promise new opportunities for ladies poker like never before and we are all just over the top excited. But there is more… with all of these new events the higher echelon of Ladies Poker have gotten together to create a professional ladies ranking system based on these new higher buy-in tournaments.

“It is time that the ladies have higher buy-in tournaments and their own ranking system”, commented Crystal Osgood, President of the Ladies Poker Association (LPA). “With women making up only 6% of the overall field of the average mixed event, the chances of a woman reaching the final table, is slim. For lady players to get noticed we need events like this to elevate us and a points ranking system that puts us on par with male players.”

Cheri Dokken agrees, “I think it is time to create a professional ranking system exclusively for the ladies. The ladies rankings, published by Card Player and PokerPages, are based on lifetime earnings, rather than yearly earnings. Card Player and PokerPages don’t use a points system based on final table appearances and tournaments played, like the other mixed professional rankings. It is just impossible to get noticed or to be recognized as a newer professional woman player.”

“Through the LPA Pro Tour we have designed a parallel ranking system to go with it,” Osgood continues. “The LPA Pro Tour will track player stats including final table appearances, and place finishes. Our point system will be designed to recognize the top players in ladies events with buy-ins of over $500. Having higher buy-in events will build higher prize pools and promote a higher level of play. We’ve really worked hard on this, talked to many players including the pros to make this work for everyone and finally, I think we are ready.”

Osgood is no stranger to poker. She’s been playing for over fifteen years, starting out as a dealer at San Diego’s Sycuan Casino. Of course, this was back in the day when being in a card room was not acceptable if you were a woman. For years she carefully observed the game and the players but didn’t start playing seriously until about six years ago, just before the poker boom. “I’ve watched the industry grow and seen, like most sports, the Ladies get left behind. With the LPA and LPA Pro Tour, we are just trying to do something the ladies can be proud of.”

The Ladies Poker Association is dedicated to providing recognition for women in poker. Her site, LadiesPokerAssociation.com, offers news, information, original articles authored by women, and now a professional ladies tour complete with a professional ranking system. “We just listened to what the ladies were asking for and here we are,” said Osgood.

Even though this writer is only an average player, the thought of a ranking system sounds exciting. But, I’m not sure higher buy-in tournaments are appropriate for new players. “It can be a difficult transition moving up to higher buy-in tournaments,” explained amateur player Brianna Troy. “Most women that play ladies events have started in them as social events, not necessarily as high level competition. Some women are kind of confused or put off in higher stakes tournaments when everyone is quiet and serious about the game, not just about having a good time or chatting it up.”

I understand what she means. I have long enjoyed the camaraderie and sisterhood that ladies tournaments engender. But, I must admit, after taking home cash in several events and winning one, I am ready to get serious about my game. After all, what can be more fun than winning lots of cash?

“I came here for the prize pool,” replied Trinka Washington, who flew in to L.A. this morning from Colorado. When I ask her where she is staying the night she politely points to a green felted table. “I don’t plan on sleeping. I plan on being here at these tables. I came a long way for this opportunity. I’m going to make the best of it.”

Washington went on to talk about how she was attracted to the structure of the tournament. “Where else can you start with $6,000 in chips with one hour rounds? I feel this structure gives me the best chance of winning. I have time to apply strategy, technique, and learn what I need to, to beat my opponents.” She is right. The structure Commerce put in place for the ladies really gives a good poker player a chance to use their skill, and not make it to the final table on more than sheer luck. “Lets put it another way,” continues Washington. “If I’m going to fly all the way here, I want a chance to play, learn what I can, and win. The extra chips and time gives me that opportunity.”

When I asked Cheri Dokken about the structure, she seemed excited. “I received so many emails from the ladies asking for this. This is what they want, so give it to them. They also want a chance to play in a higher buy-in event so we gave that to them. We are sending the winner of this event to the Bellagio in April to play in the $25,000 WPT Championship Event with all of the pros, playing for well over $5 Million.”

As I take my assigned seat in the crowd I scan the room looking for familiar faces. Cyndy Violet, Barbara Enright, Kathy Liebert, Mary Jones – women who have made a name for themselves. I feel a little twinge of envy and think of how great it would be to earn a place among them as a respected poker player. I know it’s up to me to get there, but at least I know I have a better chance than before and someone will be keeping score along the way. That is a victory in itself.

Thank you to all the women who worked hard to give the ladies a place to be recognized in the world of poker. We have earned it!

Lilli Kirby is a freelance writer, a mother, and a poker player. Lilli lives in Washington with her husband of 12 years and her two daughters.