ALL THE LADIES IN THE HOUSE

Ladies events are something of a talking point across the poker world, dividing players between those who see them simply as a way of encouraging women to take up the game, and those who regard them as an unnecessary addition to the calendar. It’s certainly a fair point that poker is a game of mental dexterity, a mind sport, rather than something that should be divided by genetics.

Indeed, it’s even a legal issue in some countries. In France, the staging of a women only event must be balanced with the scheduling of a men’s only event. In countries not so stringent on their equal opportunity law, it’s not uncommon to see men playing ladies events, even going so far as to wear a
dress to make their point, although that could be considered going too far.

But their remains a demand, from the World Series to the European Poker Tour, with the tournaments serving as a useful introduction for women entering the poker world; it goes without saying that poker is a male dominated game and “ladies only” can be a big draw for women.

Certainly Margets will think so, a professional player looking to make a living regardless of how a tournament is administered. Both she and Coren are already accomplished players, comfortable in any environment, with the results to prove it.

As well as an EPT title, Coren has earned more than $1.5 million as a poker player while Margets has earnings of more than $700,000, notably finishing in 27th place in the 2009 World Series main event. Both players were also among those invited to play the IFP World Championships in 2011 where
Coren took the silver medal.

The debate will continue on the need for ladies only event, but while players like Margets and Coren continue to win, they may not be in a much of a rush to declare their outlook one way or another.