[PokeReader]

In actuality, legally these events are discriminatory. Any man who wanted to could compete and they wouldn't turn him away because they are aware that it wouldn't pass constitutional muster - you cannot be open to the public as an event but then discriminate on the basis of gender. You may have two separate equivalent events, but that is not what we have now.

I used to support this with some discomfort as a way to get more women into the game. After watching that abominable final women's table, where the two best players played so much worse than normal from the effects of the terribly slow, passive, and tight play of the rest of the table, I have decided that female players will be much better off if they are forced to compete at a higher level. After all, that is the only thing that makes one improve.

Believe me, I am no fan of Annie's. She derides female players generally, not just those playing WOE's, but was always perfectly happy to play herself as "the only poker playing Mom" for her endorsement deals, earning income mostly from women. I have heard her make very negative statements about women who choose not to have children. Her choices are her business, they do not seem particularly philantropic, and I could care less what she thinks of anyone else's life. However, she is right though that players who regularly seek out weaker competition for whatever reason will not learn as much as a player that challenges themselves.