Short answer – yes.
Well, we are off to an explosive beginning, so let me elaborate a little bit. There is gender inequality in the world of pro casino players – just as in most sports.
The casino world has always been targeted at a mostly male audience, with strict gender-archetype roles for women that usually push them to the other side of the gaming table as croupiers. However, such a division cannot exist in the modern world – don’t imagine that it’s all good will, it’s simply the fact that (most) casinos recognise the fact that females constitute a large part of their paying customers.
Since more and more women are getting the chance to try their hand at casino games – and enjoy them! – it is perfectly natural that there would be some of them that try to make the leap to professional gambling. However, you have to keep in mind that this is one of the traditional ‘male’ fields of expertise – which means that pioneers are up for a fight.
And this fight has already passed – and been won! Nowadays, there is a much wider acceptance of female pro players. In fact, gambling games are somewhat unique since it is not a physical sport. This means that there is a level playing field for both men and women – as you well know, the differences in physique make many sports unsuited for either men or women. This is perfectly natural, and people have to be comfortable with the limitations that their bodies impose.
However, casino games are different. They are based on skill, and this means that women have a chance. Misconceptions and gender stereotypes are the main things that can hold you back if you want to become a gambling pro. The games themselves can be conquered perfectly fine. Of course, you should keep in mind that most of my experience is strictly limited to poker and blackjack, the main card games. My story might not be overly inspirational, but just take a look at someone like Cat Hulbert – a woman who has climbed to the very top of the poker and blackjack worlds.
There are many other examples for famous female poker and blackjack players – there were quite a few even in the MIT Blackjack team, the most successful group to ever take on the system! – but the fact of the matter is that they are fewer. This is especially evident during different pro tournaments, where it becomes evident that the total number of female players is 4-6 times smaller than the number of male players.
But we already said that gambling games provide a unique level field between men and women – so what is the reason behind this disparity? In my next few posts, I will discuss the psychological issue that is at play here, and the influence of societal preconceptions on the path of the female pro player.