The second post in my "ism" series is going to focus on sexism. Sexism has negative connotations for women and generally I don't approve. I do, however, enjoy sexism when it comes to poker. Most women can easily manipulate a poker game in their favour due to the sexist attitudes of men.
From what I gather, most men feel women no more belong in a poker game than in a coal mine, yet given the day and age don't voice said concerns, but the way they play voices them loud enough for everyone! They call or raise our every move and when we beat them down, they mark it up to a fluke.
I've found that men are very patronizing at the poker table. They often offer unsolicited advice or look at you with a bemused expression on their face - and this is where we can grab them by the balls ladies!
Men have something on the table that we don't have to contend with and that is their ego. When a woman is around their ego doubles, triples if she's attractive. This is also to our advantage.
My strategy is simple. Let them play against their egos. Unless I have high pairs I fold before the flop every time. I will check if no one has raised and I have the big blind, but otherwise I just sit back and watch. I watch them raise and re-raise each other, go all-in on ridiculous hands and one by one knock each other out.
When the table is down to you and just one or two, it's time to get your game on. At this point I am careful about bluffing. I want them all to think I only play when I have something so I avoid bluffing until it's down to just two people, unless of course I am sure I won't be called. Eventually they learn that you're not as dumb as they think and will begin to respect your game.
This is where you pull out the big guns. Hopefully by this point you will be chip leader, or have a decent share, so you can start bluffing and calling all in after the flop. Try to maintain composure though and don't do anything too stupid, or you will blow your cover!
This seems to work for me both in real life and online.
Sexism. It has it's benefits!
Word of Warning: Some men aren't sexist, so this strategy won't always work and never trust a fellow female poker player! Whilst men pitch their egos against each other women pitch their inner bitch against each other. Give me an ego any day! :-)
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