Sexism exists everywhere and it’s not just men. Women can get very sexist too when discussing men, or the best example is the fact that there are women’s only tournaments but no one would dare run a men’s only tournament. However this article is going to be about men being sexist against women playing poker, and the pros and cons of this sexism to women.
Two facts: Women (as a rule) are more emotional then men, women are just biologically engineered that way. Women are also raised that way, its okay to cry and share feelings, while men are taught that it is not. Second fact, men do not multitask as well as women. The stem in the brain that communicates between the left and right hemisphere is just simply smaller in men. These are not sexist statements; they are facts, now onto how to use these facts.
While there are some men out there, who view it as everyone is equal; there are those that get quite aggressive when they get the FullTiltPoker.net download and start playing. These men assume that a woman will get emotional easily. That they will cry or be scared if intimidated. These men do not want to lose to a woman in anything, especially not anything that was once viewed as a man’s sport. These players are called ego players. The ego player will attack everything you do. You can not bluff against him; he will certainly call you on it. No matter your hand, he’s going to try to win. However, the advantage is, no matter his hand, he’s going to try to win. Even with a losing hand, he’s going to try to intimidate you into folding. Play your good hands out for a high winning round, and be sure not to play with hands you can not win.
Simply, chatting while playing is also an advantage. The assumption is that you are obviously a weaker player. If you were serious, you would be concentrating. They assume this, because men as a rule can talk and concentrate. This is a great benefit, because in assuming you are weak, they will try to either take advantage of you, or cheat you. You can study their style of play easier then if they assumed you knew what you were doing. Just keep chatting away, about anything you like to increase your chances of winning.
Of course there are women like Vanessa Rousso who dress seductively just to have the advantage, and whether or not you agree with that strategy it does work but men do it too. There is a style play called the flirt player. This player just likes that there is something prettier to look at then the usual guys. Maybe he thinks he can distract you by his charm, but more often, this guy actually wants your phone number or a night up in the hotel suite with you. He is very busy charming you, but make no mistake he is playing poker as well. This style of player probably won’t raise your bet. He probably won’t even call your bet; you can have some fun bluffing (carefully of course) with this player. However, if he does raise your bet, fold. He has a winning hand for sure.
Be careful though, that men knowing these stereotypes don’t use reverse psychology to try to gain the upper hand. Sexism goes both ways ladies.