Ever since the skill game of poker has picked up in India, it has been known as a ‘male dominated game’. Whether played online, or played live in casinos, the number of women participants have been almost marginal. But the scene is fast-changing, as the beautiful game of poker has won the hearts of thousands of women and this is pretty clear with the increasing number of females participating across some national and international poker events. Women in India are breaking stereotype and changing the way the game is looked at and the way the world looks at India and female players.

Unlike early days when women were made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at poker tables, more staff and players encourage women to play in greater number today, but they still remain a glaring minority in poker tournaments. Only few female players including some well-know faces such as Adda52 Team Pro Nikita Luther, Muskan Sethi, Adda52 Celebrity Pro Minissha Lamba, Monisha Jain, Nisha Sareen, Niharika Bindra and Anju Abrol are seen in live poker tournaments and events. While men are trying to change the ways in which women have been traditionally treated, women should take the charge and change the poker scene in India. While it can be a long and frustrating process, there are several ways that women can try and take control of poker in the country. A look at 5 ways female players should try:

1.Improve the Game
If you really wish to compete and win against men in poker, it is important to spare some time to improve your game. Read best poker books, watch videos of the best players or take coaching from the best players if possible. Take part in free-roll or small-entry fee tournaments and cash games to practice and improve your game. Make sure you select the right starting hands, avoid playing too many hands, pay attention to cards or reach opponents at the table. Some men still think that women are not good players. Just work hard, play smart and change this perception about you!

2.Bring More Women
A message is better heard when delivered to more people. Follow the same and bring more women from among your relatives, friends andclose ones to the felts. When more women come to play, it will not only help to stand up against sexism and disrespectful behavior, but also it will increase the influence of women in Indian poker. Believe me, one person can be ignored by the offender or for that matter even by the management, but a group of people is more difficult to be ignored. At the end of the day, it is also good for the game, as it helps the poker market to grow up.

3.Use Social Media
This is the age of social media, which can serve as the best tool for awareness around poker. You can use it not only to learn and teach poker skills, but also to take your complaints about perpetrators at the table to the management of the poker room, casino, or tournament series. Social media is a great way to call out that behavior and generate support from others against unruly people. If you can bring attention to a particular situation on Twitter or Facebook, it can turn into a big cry for change, which will pressrize the management to take a stand for the fear of losing business.

4.Teach Other Women
One of the ideal ways to bridge the gender gap in poker is to bring in more women to the tables. Introduce some friends to poker, explain the game and teach them how to play and win in cash games and tournaments. They will see how intellectually challenging and stimulating game it can be. Women are no strangers to casinos, so pulling them toward poker will not only be good for the game but it will also help to increase the number of women participation across poker games and tournaments.

5.Have a Positive Attitude
Success is all in your attidude. Have a positive attidue and be passionate about what you do. Beleive me, there is no feild where women cannot dominate. All you need is passion and determination, as these elements will help you to overcome difficult moments and continue believing in yourself. Your attitude towards the attainment of success will for sure help you to develop skills and achieve your set goals in poker. Remember, there will be times when you will lose and again there will times when you will win or finish in the money. Don’t get discouraged if you lose in poker, as it happens to every poker player. Forget your loss, learn from mistake, improve your game and come prepared the next time. Approach your poker table with a new passion and fresh mindset so that you can compete and win against men.