In January, the World Poker Tour (WPT) announced the inception of the WPT-Ladies (WPTL).  Since then, it has been the subject of a lot of controversy.  Many, but certainly not all, women are happy about this and believe it is better for poker.  On the other hand, many men and some women believe having a woman’s only league is not only discriminatory, but it sends a bad message - that women can’t play with men.  So, I thought I’d weigh in with my two cents:

1. Some women can play with men and don’t need a “Ladies Only” event for that purpose.  (I’ve also seen many men who shouldn’t be playing with the men they do - it’s not a gender thing.)
2. Some women are simply not comfortable playing with other men.  So, what’s the big deal.  Are they hurting anything?

I look at it this way: Are “Ladies Only” tournaments hurting men?  I don’t see how - other than maybe they are getting an additional opportunity to hone their skills and beat the socks off of men in the future, but with the vast array of tournaments available for everybody, I don’t think finding a game for men is a problem.

I also don’t see how it is discrimination, even though the State of California disagrees with me.  To illustrate, last September, lawyers for the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA advised their client that they should let former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco and five other men participate in the California State Poker Championship LADIES No Limit Hold’em poker tournament, despite it having the “Ladies Only” designation.  California law strictly prohibits gender discrimination, and according to the Commerce lawyers, the way the law is written, the Commerce Casino would have been violating the law if they did not allow Mr. Canseco, and other men who wished to play, entry into the tournament.  I simply think this is wrong.

To me, discrimination would be to allow a “Ladies Only” tournament, but not allow a “Men Only”.  That would be gender discrimination.  To the best of my knowledge, nobody has stated that a casino cannot throw a “Men Only” tournament.  Everybody assumes it would be challenged and found to be discriminatory, but nobody has tested it.  As long as their is the opportunity to have a league for men, a league for women, and a league for everybody, I don’t have a problem with it.

Let the ladies have their league.  They aren’t hurting anybody.  Ladies are still free to participate or not participate in the league and participate with men.  Men are still free to have their own league if they so wish (until somebody says otherwise).

Until next time,

KC

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