In the long run, however, I think it's good business for everybody. The first three years, I won two out of three of the tournaments. It seemed to make them feel better. But then I repeated my victory the next year and they weren't quite so vocal. You know, you really have to pay your dues in the poker world, especially if you are a woman.
Poker is a male dominated sport.
Some men give you absolutely no respect, perhaps because of the society in which they were brought up. But I think that women can use those attitudes to their advantage. We have to earn their respect as players. And you learn a lot along the way. During the first tournament that I played, I learned so much.