They are typically flawless from head to toe. The beautiful hostesses chosen to participate in poker television shows are dressed to the nines, with high-end dresses and flashy accessories to match, and their hair and make-up are done to perfection. Most of them are well-spoken, able to think on their feet, toss questions to poker players, and react to their answers in quick TV-interview fashion.

Some of the women featured on poker TV shows are also well-versed in the game itself and able to ask questions about specific poker hands played, betting sizes, and other intricacies of the game. Others, however, whether they possess a deep understanding of the game or not, reserve their interview questions for the somewhat predictable topics, such as how it felt to be knocked out of tournament or if that player’s strategy worked as planned. But regardless, they are relegated to the positions of hostesses and kept at arm’s length from the commentator booths.

Two hostesses in particular, Kara Scott and Tiffany Michelle took the opportunity to use their time in the poker industry to soak up information from the players being interviewed and draw on that information to improve their own games. Scott, formerly of PokerStars’ European Poker Tour and currently appearing on High Stakes Poker, the PartyPoker Premier League, and some episodes of the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker, recently accepted a player sponsorship with PartyPoker, as her results in a number of tournaments warranted due notice. Michelle, formerly a video host for PokerNews, went on to find sponsorship with UltimateBet due to her deep run in the 2008 World Series of Poker and went on to appear on national television as a contestant on CBS’ The Amazing Race.

The question at hand here, then, is why aren’t women such as the ones described herein recruited for commentator positions? Many of them clearly possess the knowledge, not to mention the humor and witty repartee, to pair up with any of the male commentators currently in such roles. They do well on camera and in front of a microphone, as evidenced by their current or past casting. But they are consistently relegated to on-the-spot interviews and kept from positions that require analysis and observation.

Scott still maintains a prominent role on several televised broadcasts, and it should be noted that it is not known whether she was offered a commentator position at any time. But when rumors first began to circulate that she would be appearing on High Stakes Poker at the same time that former co-host AJ Benza’s contract was not renewed, the assumption was that Scott would take the place of Benza beside Gabe Kaplan and provide commentary of the action at the cash game table. However, when the current season began to air, her role became clear as one that involved interviewing players after they exited the game or after being involved in a key or controversial hand.

There is no intention here to diminish Scott’s role on High Stakes Poker, or that of any hostess on any other show for that matter. But the fact remains that women seem to have been typecast into a particular role despite the in-depth knowledge of poker (in verse and in practice) that some of them possess, while men continue to be the voices of the game, the voices and faces that analyze poker hands, highlight key plays and poke fun at players, and relay the action of major tournaments and cash games to the audience.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are still instances pertaining to poker shows that put women back decades. While personally a fan of the show Poker2Nite, its second season kicked off with a segment involving hostess Dana Workman called “Girls of Poker.” The title in itself is diminishing, but the first installment of it was even more so. With guest Lauren Kling, an up-and-coming player who has had some live and online poker success, Workman introduced her with this: “Our first Girls of Poker hottie is a Cal Berkley grad…” Kling was asked about her recent 63^rd place finish at the L.A. Poker Classic, about being the last woman in a tournament, and about males treating her differently than their male opponents at the tables. While those were reasonable questions, Workman tagged on the following: “I guess the real question would be…if you’re at a table with eight other players, how many of them try to hit on you? Eight?” Kling seemed a bit taken aback by the question but tried to answer it pleasantly.

The interview continued as Kling was asked about her current dating relationship with a well-known online poker player, but then it devolved even further. “Enough about poker,” said Workman, who proceeded to ask Kling how she spends time away from the tables and “living your life like a normal young hottie.” When Kling responded that she does Pilates and spends some time shopping, Workman added, “Don’t we all?”

While women like Scott and Poker After Dark hostess Leeann Tweeden work to prove that women are as knowledgeable about the game of poker as the males who serve as commentators, instances like the “Girls of Poker” segment on Poker2Nite make it that much tougher on women in the poker industry. It is difficult enough for women to be looked upon as serious players and gaming enthusiasts instead of “hot” decorations at the tables, but relegating them to “hotties” and focusing on the sexism that still exists in some circles helps no one.

The next round of poker television shows would be wise to consider a female host or commentator, as a wider and more diverse audience is something that could not only improve ratings but extend some much overdue equality to the business as a whole.

See: He Said/She Said: His view