Women Find Poker is Their Strongest Suit

As reported by the (London) Times: "By day JoJo Hastie organises charity events and private functions. At night she is one of a growing band of women who are taking over the male dominated game of poker.

"...In the past year the number of female players has risen dramatically. More than a third of the tens of millions of online players are now women.

"The women are also heading out and playing face to face. At a recent ladies-only tournament in Chelsea, 30 young professional women turned up to play Texas No Limit Hold 'Em, the most popular poker game.

"...Ms Hastie, 26, started playing cards a few months ago, taught by her boyfriend, and entered her first mixed-sex tournament a few weeks ago. "It was really good fun. I came third out of 20 people and won £250," she said.

"...The women-only games are devised by Julian Morel, 36, who runs pokergirl.uk. The majority of his clients are in property, PR or fashion, and the prizes of manicures and facials are not why they turn up.

"...Mr Morel, who also organises corporate poker events, said: 'It is the new social thing for women to do and gives them a chance to surprise their partners when they say they are going out for the night.'..."