The Partouch Poker Tour in France Welcomes Women into Mainstream Poker

Sunday, 23 May 2010 17:39

Until recently, hardly any women were found in poker rooms in France. Women are now increasingly likely to be seen playing poker and playing it well. Long ago are the days of clandestine meetings between dominant males in their smoky basement clubs. Poker has gone more mainstream and accepted publicly. Stripped of its stereotypes, poker is finally more open to having both sexes play. The Partouche Poker Tour organizers were quick to recognize that change was underway.

Women have everything to succeed at poker. Psychology, thinking, and intuition ... these assets are the qualities which all great poker players possess. And women have these qualities just as much as men do. There are now thousands of people, both men and women, who play poker and who travel tournament circuits.

Aware of this phenomenon, and the growing interest of female poker players, casinos in France have quickly adapted. Tournaments for women are starting to be developed and are experiencing success, during a time when we see more female players gracing the covers of popular magazines and conquering poker events.

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Groupe Partouche, who created the Partouche Poker Tour, which attracted nearly 25,000 players in its first year of existence in 2008, decided to create the first poker tournament in Europe that was only for females. The TPP Ladies was created in 2009.

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Six satellites at € 35 each were organized throughout France with a € 330 final at the Palm Beach casino in Cannes. The winner was Sophie Rodrigo, 24 years old, who won a prize of €13,390. It was her first win in a poker tournament.

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The women had such a great time playing at this organized ladies only event that it has led them to join the traditional circuit events of the regular tour.

This year, nearly 200 participants are expected in September. There will again be satellites held throughout France in Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Divonne, Nice, Forges-les-Eaux, and Sain Amand. The final main event for the ladies will take place in Cannes at the Palm Beach Casino in September during the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event.

The organizers of the Partouche Poker Tour feel that the poker of tomorrow will become even more female-oriented with many more women playing. "Its too bad for the cowboys." said Nicolas Schull, spokesperson for Partouche Poker Tour.