Men and women have different brains--and therefore different ways of thinking and processing information. Women can better benefit from learning poker strategy for women!

In 1979, Doyle Brunson wrote in his ground-breaking poker strategy book Super System, "I've never met a woman who was a really top player." In the 2006 World Series of Poker, Doyle's own daughter, Pam Brunson, won over $34,000. Not only are women here to stay in the poker world, but we have many advantages over the men.

In her 2007 book The Female Brain, Dr. Louann Brizendine explains what women's brains can do:

- "Just about the first thing the female brain compels a baby to do is study faces" (p. 14). As women poker players, we've been studying the game since day #1!

- "Girls can also hear a broader range of sound frequency and tones in the human voice than can boys" (p. 17). Reading tells is that much easier for women poker players!

- "Remember, he's thinking about sex literally every minute" (p. 92). Women poker players don't have to worry about this distraction!

- "The areas of the brain that track gut feelings are larger and more sensitive in the female brain" (p. 120). Women poker players are processing all kinds of "clues" about the other players at the table--without even trying!

- "It's easier to push a man's anger button...Women have a much less direct relationship to anger" (p. 129). Women poker players have a lower chance of going on tilt! Thank you testosterone!

- "The female brain is gifted at quickly assessing the thoughts, beliefs, and intentions of others, based on the smallest hints" (p. 120-1). The female brain is a poker tell-reading machine!

In addition to biological differences, there are obviously social differences between men and women:

- While studies show that men and women have the same capabilities at mathematics, most women feel that math is a weakness for them...perhaps due to its reputation for male-domination.

- Poker is dominated by men and has been for centuries. Like football, the male influence on poker has shaped its norms. Poker has adopted male values and feminine habits and mannerisms are deemed foreign. How else can you explain the term "the nuts?"

- Looking at the social side of our biological differences in sex drive, any woman who thinks she can sit down at a male-dominated poker table without sex being an issue--to one degree or another--is mistaken.

- Women are socialized to be cooperative rather than competitive, to be passive rather than aggressive. While most modern women enjoy a little healthy competition and despise "doormat" behavior, it is still part of our framework.

Because of these differences, we as women will have more success at poker if we approach the game differently. Many of the strategy books push the importance of math and odds over "gut feelings," however, women players should pay great attention to gut feelings. On the other hand, women can become highly successful at poker by learning how to calculate poker odds.

Additionally, strategy books tell you that the best time to bluff is on the button when everyone else has limped in. While this is good advice, women can very successfully time bluffs by how they are perceived at the table by male opponents. The best time for a woman to bluff may be after losing a heads up showdown or when you first sit down at the table--because the male players are likely to assume our feminity is our weakness.

We are all already experts in the social differences between men and women because we live them everyday. However, the more you understand the biological differences, the more you can tailor the male-influenced poker literature and strategy out there for you.

Men and women have different brains--and therefore different ways of thinking and processing information. Women can better benefit from learning poker strategy for women! This article explores tips for women just starting out in the poker world.

Poker strategy for Texas Hold 'Em can be complicated and intricate, so the best thing you can do is learn what are some of the most common mistakes. Then as you develop as a player, you must study the areas you are weak in. There is no one way to play any hand, any table, or any situation.

Some common mistakes made by new players are:

- Playing too many hands. When you're new to poker, use Phil Hellmuth's mantra, "Tight is right!"

- Not knowing why you are calling a bet...don't just call because you want to see what happens. Are you calling because your hand is strong? Are you calling because you think you're being bluffed? Are you calling because you need one more card to make a monster flush or straight?

- Forgetting the training wheels. Start by playing low stakes limit games. When you are consistently winning at that level, move up to no limit. As you continue to advance and have an adequate bank roll, move up the stakes.

- Getting tunnel vision. Don't forget to watch the other players and try to figure out what hands they have. It's easy to just focus on how much you should bet, if you should call, and how many outs you have...but don't forget about everyone else.

- Not varying your play. It is essential to switch gears constantly in the same game. You will frequently hear players say, "These are the same cards I got last time." So what! Play them differently this time and see what happens.

- Not taking advantage of position. How you play a low pocket pair in early position should be very different than how you play it on the button. Paying attention to position will also help you make better folds.

- Bypassing a proper poker education. You must study the fundamentals of the game. Just like basketball, top pros still practice shooting free throws constantly. Poker is the same--the fundamentals will make or break your game. In your frenzy to become an advanced player, mix practical experience with some poker strategy books or videos.

- As a female player, learn the differences between men and women at the table. We think differently. We read people differently. We re-act to situations differently. You can use all of this to your advantage!

So how can you accomplish these things? Subscribe to a serious, strategy-based poker blog. Read poker books. Play, play, play. Get to know yourself as a player.

Exploiting your table image is a key tool in any poker girl's tool belt! In Sherry Argov's book Why Men Love Bitches, she explains how men are turned on by women who have power over them: "...the average run of the mill male fantasy he had growing up: it's always a woman who has power over him...the policewoman with the handcuffs. All of these women, in their own feminine way, have power over him and leave him at a disadvantage..." There are so many ways to take advantage of the male ego, it's hard to know where to start!

The assumptions of your mostly male opponents can run the gamut--they may assume you are:

- unskilled

- not savvy about betting, bluffing, reading tells, slow playing, calculating odds, etc.

- unknowledgeable about the game (not sure when it's your turn, how much to bet, if a flush beats a straight, etc.)

- not capable of aggressive play, setting traps, or bullying

- not interested in winning money, but just out for a good time

- just playing to keep your boyfriend or husband company

A lot of women players feel it isn't very "modern" to take advantage of these assumptions, that it may further negative stereotypes about women. On the contrary, taking advantage of the weaknesses of your opponents is what poker is all about...and making biased assumptions about you is their weakness! Take some more advice from Why Men Love Bitches and be "dumb like a fox."