WHO'S BETTER AT GAMBLING, MEN OR WOMEN?

Gambling Through History: Gender Roles

Women in the Early Casino Era

During the 19th century, women were typically excluded from the gaming hall, but several carved out their own legends.

Alice Ivers, “Poker Alice,” who became a legend in the American Wild West, making and losing fortunes at poker tables despite being a dare devil opium-smoking woman in a man’s world.

In European salons in Monte Carlo’s halls, aristocratic women gambled at roulette, solidifying the glamorous connection between women and casino culture.

Men as Dominant Players

Men have historically led in gambling in public spaces. Nick “the Greek” Dandolos and Archie Karas are names that have been remembered over the years for high-stakes play.

Karas’s “Run” in the 1990s, in which he turned $50 into $40 million and then lost it all, continues to be one of the most dramatic gambling stories.

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Psychology & Risk: How Do Men and Women Play?

Psychological research on gambling indicates patterns:

·     Men are more willing to take risks, typically driven by competitiveness and the thrill of the chase.

·     Women tend to gamble more for entertainment, interacting with others and chilling out.”

A study by the University of Cambridge found that men tend to play strategy-driven forms of gambling (like poker or sports betting) while women favour games of chance (like slots or bingo).

But here’s the rub: When women do enter strategy-heavy spaces, such as poker, they often do well precisely by playing more conservatively and patiently, qualities that can out last the reckless male aggression.

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Game Preferences by Gender

Men

·     Poker: Featuring male pros such as PhilIvey, Stu Ungar, and Daniel Negreanu.

·     Sports Betting: It’s frequently a male-dominated form of gambling that can get very competitive

·     Craps & Blackjack: Enjoyed by thrill seekers who want to put it all on the line.

Women

·     Slots & Bingo: Traditionally, they are very popular games that are sociable and fun.

·     Roulette & Baccarat: Classy games of chance turned favourites amongst the high-society women of the day.

Contemporary female gamblers, such as Oscar-winning actress and WSOP champion Jennifer Tilly and EPT's first-ever women's title winner Victoria Coren Mitchell, have demonstrated that there is plenty of room for women in poker.