This column is the second in a series about legendary or outstanding women in the poker industry. Today’s column is about Deborah Giardina, who has been a trailblazer for women in the poker world for the past 20 years.

Deborah was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her four children and four grandchildren keep her busy when she isn’t in the poker room. Prior to getting involved in poker, Deborah sold real estate, worked in the restaurant business, and was a big game hunting guide. I’m sure I could write an entire column about her adventures in that field, but today, I’ll stick to poker.

Linda Johnson: How did you get started in poker?

Deborah Giardina: I started as a dealer in Cripple Creek, Colorado about 20 years ago and then took a brush position. As you know, my forte is not in the mechanics of dealing. I was better suited for the public relations, organizational and problem solving parts of the gaming business (management type of work). From there, I went to Gulfport, Mississippi, when the Grand Casino Gulfport opened. I worked there as a dealer / brush. Within a few months I was working the floor exclusively. When Grand Casino Biloxi was built, Tony Collins went to that operation. It was at that point that I took over Grand Casino Gulfport as the cardroom manager. Later, I opened several poker operations for Lyle Berman in the Southern region of the country.

When I heard they were going to be legalizing poker in Minnesota. I applied for and got the position of Vice-President of Casino Operations for Canterbury Park, Minnesota. I was very excited and challenged to be part of setting up the foundation for legalizing poker in Minnesota. I was involved in setting up several tribal operations in the state of Minnesota. I have found it rewarding to be involved in the beginning stages of starting new poker rooms. When the foundation is strong, the business can survive through the many changes that time brings. Along the way, I owned a poker consulting business. Six years ago, I moved to Las Vegas to become the Executive Director of Poker Operations at Wynn Las Vegas, a position that I still hold today.

LJ: What are your major job responsibilities in your current position?

DG: I am responsible for all aspects of the poker operations for Wynn Las Vegas.

LJ: What do you like least and most about your current job?

DG: What I like most is the ability to open doors of opportunity for my staff. The least favorite part of my job is the lack of personal time.

LJ: What in your background gave you the training for the attributes you would need to manage poker rooms?

DG: Being a mother of four children, all born within seven years of each other, gave me the experience of being able to multi-task. Without that our household would not have run efficiently. I believe that my volunteer time with my children's school board and other projects helped me to learn the business of politics. Also, my business experience from my real estate career was a perfect segue to the gaming business, as both take fortitude and personality to be successful.

LJ: What is your favorite poker book?

DG: My favorite poker book is The Professor, The Banker and The Suicide King by Michael Craig.  This book took on a new life for me after Andy Beal and the pros played their rematch in the Wynn Poker Room.

LJ: Do you have a favorite poker memory over the past few years?

DG: There are many of course. During the Maximum pool side event at Wynn Las Vegas, I busted Phil Gordon heads-up. I entered the hand with a pair of deuces and Phil entered with A-J.  Phil never bettered his hand and I went on to bust him.  As he was leaving, he reminded me that it is far better to have A-J than to have a pair of deuces heads-up when all-in.

LJ: Who was your main mentor in the industry?

DG: Rick Behrendsen

LJ: Which poker player do you most respect?

DG: Chrs Fergusun (Jesus)

LJ: Which industry leaders do you respect the most?

DG: Micheal O'Malley, Linda Johnson, and Jesse Hollander

LJ: If you weren’t in the poker industry, what do you think you would you do for a living?

DG: I'd probably be a writer.

LJ: What advice do you have for someone who wants to get into the poker industry?

DG: Integrity, integrity, integrity...you can't succeed without it!

LJ: If you could change anything in poker to make it better, what would you change>

DG: I would like to see more standardized rules, I'd also like to find a way to eliminate player and dealer abuse. I'm proud of being one of the leading professionals in instituting a zero tolerance for abuse policy.

LJ: When you retire, what do you think you will do?

DG: I plan to do a lot of traveling and writing after I'm retired.

LJ: What do you think of ladies - only poker tournaments?

DG: Why does it matter if ladies have their own events? There have been casino employee-only events and senior tournament for years. What is the difference?

LJ: Has being a woman helped or hurt you in the poker industry?

DG: Both. Being a woman at times has made it very difficult to command respect from some of the male players. It has helped to eliminate the competition of two male egos at odds.

LJ: If you could choose one industry leader to be in the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, who would it be?

DG: Kathy Raymond*. 

LJ: How has poker changed for women in the past 20 years?

DG: Things are much better today. There are more women in poker than there were 20 years ago. Women are given more credibility than 20 years ago.

LJ: How do you feel about working in the poker world?

DG: All in all, the people who have poker in their blood are a very interesting group to be involved with. They are very smart and adaptable to the tasks at hand. Our lives are never dull or boring. I have met some of the kindest, most caring people in the poker industry.  Poker has been an extremely fulfilling career and lifestyle for me.

LJ: What would you say to the women reading this interview?

DG: Working in a male dominated industry for so long has given me more respect and admiration for any woman that enters the game on either side of the table. Come on in ladies...you will be welcome in the poker room.

LJ: Deb, thanks so much for the interview. I have enjoyed our friendship over the past 15 years and think you would be a great addition to the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.

 *Editor's note:  Linda Johnson and Kathy Raymond, who is mentioned in this article have both been nominated by the industry for a Poker Maven Award. There is still time to vote for your favorites in each category.