Who is a Recognised Poker Player? The List That SHOCKED the World!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Who is a Recognised Poker Player? The List That SHOCKED the World!

I recently wrote an article on Maxim naming the 20 Hottest Female Poker Players. I endeavoured to ask my partner Tyrone; which poker hotties do you think made the list? Tyrone started to rattle off a few names such as Vanessa Rousso, Tiffany Michelle, Jennifer Tilly, Clonie Gowen, Beth Shak and then paused and said “I don’t know of any other women who would be on that list! There are 20?”

I started to name some more names of female poker players that Tyrone would know such as Pamela Anderson; let’s face it every man knows Pamela Anderson! He said “She plays poker?” I advised him that: “Not only does she play poker but she used to own her own online poker site”. Tyrone’s immediate response was a sarcastic one “Well that makes choosing the top 20 easy! Basically any woman who picks up a deck of cards could be in it!” I stopped, I thought and my jaw dropped. It dropped because for once when it came to poker he was right!

Really should the listed women be in the list? Does everyone know them? Hell; I don’t even know half of them! I expected to see Maria Ho in the list before any of these women. Pamela Anderson I understand being part of it; she deserves to be; I know she plays poker but so does Jennifer Hawkins and Jennifer Hawkins was MISS UNIVERSE and is SMOKING hot!

Doesn’t everyone know Jennifer Hawkins? Why wasn’t she on the list? She plays poker she is one of the world’s hottest women! My friend Jill Russin is smoking hot, she plays poker too! In-fact Lacey Jones the face of the Canadian Poker Tour didn’t even make the list! I am shocked! Shouldnt she be in it above ladies who just “pick up cards and claim to be a player”. Needless to say what about some of the names Tyrone mentioned? Beth Shak and Clonnie Gowen?

It brings me to name these ladies and question – Who is a recognised poker player and how do they get on these lists?

A recognised poker player in my opinion is someone who has achieved. These are the players should make lists for being “The Hottest Female Poker Players” not just someone who may have played a few times in their life! Most of the women listed seem to be randoms of the poker industry. Let me use an example. I will place the results of google searches and you decide how much these ladies PLAY POKER!

Odette Yustman:

Wikipedia says nothing about her playing poker

The Hendon Mob has no listing

Adding Poker to the search “Odette Yustman Poker”shows “Stepping out for a night of gaming action, Odette Yustman and Dave Annable attended the 8th Annual World Poker Tour Invitational”

Traci Bingham:

Wikipedia says nothing about her playing poker

The Hendon Mob has no listing

Adding Poker to the search “Traci Bingham Poker”shows The online casino site Empire Poker has tapped former ''Baywatch" star Traci Bingham to be the website's new spokesgirl. (Fair enough she is in there I guess!)

Jennie Garth:

Wikipedia says nothing about her playing poker

The Hendon Mob has no listing other than an article with her name in it

Adding Poker to the search “Jennie Garth Poker” shows a celebrity show down and a charity tournament result

My search for results for them stops here! It’s a waste of my time. For a list of the rest of the ladies click on this link www.womenspokernews.com and feel free to search the rest yourself.

I will do one last search: Let me show you one hotties results that should in my opinion be in the list, you can then decide what you think. Do you think that a player should more than just pick up a deck of cards now and again to be marked in our industry in any list of any size shape or form?

Beth Shak:

Wikipedia – Shows Poker life, poker career and relationship with Dan Shak poker player!

The Hendon Mob shows career winnings of $ 450,143.00

Add poker to the search “Beth Shak Poker” and the first listing is Beth Shak Professional Poker Player Official Site following another 163,000 poker related results!

I could do the same with Lacey Jones, Connie Glowen I am Sure! I could do the same with 200 other women who are serious in this poker industry!

Here is a list written by a man called John Bukenas I think it is more suitable!

1. Shannon Elizabeth
2. Jennifer Leigh
3. Isabelle Mercier
4. Liz Lieu
5. Erica Schoenberg
6. Vanessa Rousso
7. Clonie Gowen
8. Cyndy Violette
9. Cecilia Nordenstam
10. Lacey Jones
11. Evelyn Ng
12. Tiffany Michelle
13. Maria Ho
14. Chantel McNulty
15. Beth Shak
16. Mimi Rodgers
17. Jennifer Harmen
18. Jennifer Tilly
19. Kristy Gazes
20. Annie Duke

A recognised poker player is recognised for POKER – not the occasional shuffling of cards. It doesn't matter what list they are going on they should have the above criteria. Do tell me if you disagree!