Women in American Poker: How the industry finally makes room on the table
Poker in the United States has been a male-dominated space for years. Walking into almost all poker rooms, the statistics back it up: only about 5% of the players are women. According to World Series Poker (WSOP) data, only 350 of the 8,569 entrants in the major events in 2019 were women, just 4.1%. What is even more shocking is that only 44 years old are under 30 years old. Despite this, the tides are still turning slowly but steadily. In July 2025, Spanish Poker Pro Leonor “Leo” Margets became the first woman to enter the WSOP main event final since Barbara Enright in 1995, making headlines. Margets finished seventh in the record 9,735 players, seventh in 9,735 players and again won $1.5 million in prize money and proved once again the highest level of women.
But Margets’ in-depth run is more than just a personal milestone. This is a signal to the wider poker world. The game is changing. Women are becoming more visible, more voice and more victorious. From Hollywood stars double as skilled players to startups created by women using poker as a tool for career development, the landscape is growing. Finally, the poker industry began to catch up.
A new type of American poker room: inclusive online and closed
One of the most obvious signs of poker embracing female audiences comes from the digital world. American poker platform Americas Cardroom plays a key role in this transformation. The website actively works to create a more inclusive environment through representation and philanthropy. In October 2024, Americas Cardroom hosted a charity poker championship, raising $20,000 for the United Brass Cancer Foundation. Led by ambassadors such as Katie Lindsay, Ebony Kenney and Svitlana Dryha, the event was broadcast live, allowing players to share not only their strategies but their meaning to be a woman in the game.
But in addition to charity, the American Boardroom also uses anti-company technology, advanced robot detection and certified random number generation to ensure fairness and safety of the higher competitive environment. That’s not just a good business; it’s reassuring for women who might be entering a traditional male-dominated space. The platform has become a passionate hub for poker newbies and has become an experienced professional by focusing on the well-being and representation of players. This commitment to community and ethics contrasts with poker’s marketing history.
As mentioned earlier vicepoker has long been inclined toward gender advertising, often showing women as models or accessories rather than players. This alienation has its cost. Kara Scott, broadcaster and poker players explains: “When people talk about women in poker, they imagine all the attractive professionals around the age of 20, and the faces they see are not imagining the large number of middle-aged and retired women playing.” Americas Cardroom’s strategy offers a new script that recognizes all female players and treats them as equals scripts.
Poker as a strength skill: from felt to board
In addition to chips and cards, poker has proven to be an unexpected but powerful tool for women in the business world. Chicago entrepreneur Jenny Just CBS News and timelead a sport that teaches one million women how to play poker, not for high-risk tournaments, but for high-risk careers. Her company Poker Power, founded by women, believes that learning games give women confidence, risk assessment and negotiation skills, often required in leadership roles.
Women still hold only 28% of management positions in the United States, and initiatives such as poker power are designed to close the gap. The idea is simple but revolutionary: by learning how to read opponents, manage resources, and make bold and calculated decisions under pressure, women can translate these skills directly into boards. Poker is increasingly involved in cards, but rather controls more about the situation, bets, and self.
The strategy has gained attention in university campuses, corporate retreats and digital classrooms. It not only redefines poker or career path, it can also be used as a life skill. Perhaps more importantly, it is fostering a new generation of women who don’t need to be allowed to sit at any dining table, poker or otherwise.
From screen to card table: Redefining femininity in poker
Hollywood has also played a surprising role in reshaping its perception of poker women. Movie Molly’s GameAccording to the true story of Molly Bloom, the audience is allowed to watch a movie to understand the meaning of a woman dominating the world of high-risk games and higher-risk egos. But it’s not just a fictional character, it’s attracted the attention of women in poker.
Actress and longtime poker player Jennifer Tilly embodies the perfect mix of charm and courage. Tilly challenged her name on the regular season track in the race, which challenged the outdated notion that poker was a hoodie-wearing man’s game. Her recent Liquid Housewife’s Moment (Michael Schmidt Studios’ liquid gold dress, turned around in a star-studded event, a bold statement that femininity and poker abilities are not mutually exclusive. She is not the only one. From the red carpet to the live stream, women have their own image, strategy and focus.
This visibility is important. In a world that has long pursued sales as men, seeing women who are both fashionable and powerful helps rewrite the narrative. Poker is no longer an exclusive boys club. It’s a game for anyone who wants to learn, play and win.
Close the gap and increase the bet
Leo Margets’s historic WSOP final table run is a wake-up call. Although only a small part of the poker play population, women are still becoming the spotlight bigger, louder, smarter. Thanks to the influence of Power-Forward Insiative like Americas Cardroom, Power-Forward Insiative like Jenny Just’s Poker Power, and popular culture icons like Jennifer Tilly, women are putting their propositions in an industry that is finally ready to meet halfway. Poker is growing and women who love games are leading.
