Honestly any woman player who acts with dignity and doesn't use their boobs or sexuality more than their brains are fine with me.

I'm a huge fan of Liv Boeree, if I weren't str8 yum yum but I digress, but while she doesnt' dress sexy at the tables she did do that photo shoot and Vanessa Russo did that sport illustrated one so that's a tiny strike against those two but they're still both on the good side.

I agree with Katie that all around Kara Scott is the ****s! She behaves like a lady, she's a wonderful announcer and seems genuine and sweet. From what I've seen she also knows how to play poker.

Jenn Harman is great too but she did do that awful reality show so she has that strike against her in my book but she's huge in animal rights which pretty much wipes that out. Well and oh yeah the FTP thing!

When it comes strictly to ability Vanessa Selbst hands down.

Bad:

Annie Duke is the worst in every way! No use for Tiffany Michelle, or anyone who like I said above, is popular in the poker world more for their boob showing than brains and ability.

If we're talking about a "pretty face" for women's poker, it's Kara Scott; also I like Maria Ho's commentary on HTP; cute, knowledgable, doesn't take herself too seriously. I also like Jen Tilly's sexy, sassy personality.

If we're talking "legends of poker", it's Annie Duke and Jen Harmon. They are right up there with Doyle, Johnny Chan, etc. They represent the pre-Moneymaker era.

If we're talking "here's a woman who can play with ANYBODY, it's Vanessa Selbst. Uber-competitive, Ivy league law student, math wiz, brilliant mind, and a "I'm gonna crush you like a little bug" mindset. Not nice. Arrogant. Pissed-off. And the double standard is bull****. Guys can play that, women who do that are viewed poorly. I know I root for her to lose.

+1 for Maria, the LWS at the 2007 and now 2014 WSOP Main Events.

And she did this recently (for PokerListings):

I agree with most everything you said

I would add Jennifer Tilly to my "no" list. I don't care for Maria Ho either. And although I can't put my finger on why, Annette Obrestad bugs me although she is admittedly a very good player. So is Vanessa Russo but I can't stand her personality.

Vanessa Selbst is easily the best representative for women, because she shows that women can be winning players and compete toe-to-toe with the men. Yeah, she's an arsehole at the table, but that's obviously an effective table persona for her and gets guys to play differently and worse than they otherwise would in a vain attempt to try to put her in her place.

In general, guys don't like an "uppity" female at the table. They'd much rather give their chips to a pretty girl with her boobs hanging out in the hopes that they might get lucky with her away from the table. This partially explains the success of players like Jennifer Tilly and Lily Kiletto (though clearly they are skilled players in their own right).

Jennifer Harman used to be a good representative, but does she even play anymore? Also, I've never seen her be very aggressive when she's played in the top games (at least the ones on TV). She's a super-tight rock which may be successful for her, but is exactly the playing style that women should try to avoid since it is their natural inclination.

Annie Duke is the worst representative, since she's a cheater and a fraud. Not to mention that she's unfunny and a pill at the table. Something about her always rubbed me wrong and to see her go down in flames because of the FTP scandal confirmed to me that she is a person of low character (although I've thought this since first reading about her in James McManus' novel "Positively Fifth Street").

Jennifer Tilly seems like a donk, but I haven't seen enough of her plays to "judge" her completely. She's definitely a huge tellbox, as she always breathes heavily when she's got a hand. Easier to notice that because of her huge knockers. Her performance on Shark Cage really lowered her points as a good female representive, what an annoying loud mouth beotch. I guess she was drunk or on drugs, but can't really put that as an excuse.

As for the best, Vanessa Selbst for the reasons listed above.

Dbag behaviour you are describing.

She may be the best female player, but she's the female Phil Hellmuth when it comes to conduct and maturity.

the absolute best is fatima de melo, lovely person always nice to everyone and is a great athlete \o/ and is hoooooot

Vicky Coren anyone?
She's real, has quite a unique personality, a non-poker career and is the first player (not female, just playyer) to collect two EPT wins.
Only Vanessa Selbst could be a better "flag-bearer" in my opinion, but I agree with others here that she just loses her temper way too often and has this ego-trip.

84 posts and literally nobody mentions Melissa Burr? Ban all of you

Annie Duke was interviewed on NPR yesterday and she talked about the three type of men she seems to play against and how she uses their personality against them.

Not saying she is the best or worst representative. Just thought this thread was an appropriate place to mention her appearance.

Jen Harman////annie duke

also there are the younger generation: vanessa selbst,maybe maria ho

A woman who could, but doesn't use their boobs strikes me as not using all the weapons at their disposal.

Good point! Male players often use their height (Hellmuth), bulk (Raymer), charm (Negreanu and Esfandiari), other physical and personality attributes to help them at the poker table. Why shouldn't a woman use hers? It seems some of you guys are asking for a lot in your ideal woman poker representative: she has to be a great player and a nice person (you probably would want those same two qualities in a male "representative," if there is such a thing) and also be attractive and charming but not blatant about using her attractiveness or charm to her advantage at the table!

I don't want to turn this into a feminist rant, so I will try to keep it simple by saying that anyone who suggests that a woman use her boobs as a "resource" has no idea how truly insulting that is - and obviously many don't care if it's insulting. I don't care if you mean it as a compliment, or you think you're teaching us something about the male psyche -- we already know most of you are distracted by boobs. That doesn't mean we want to use our boobs/bodies to render you stupid. It doesn't happen as often in a reverse gender situation where women insult men by suggesting that their looks, or their big dicks, are their biggest asset and that they should use it to their advantage since they couldn't possibly compete on any other level, but it would be just as insulting if it did.

I personally don't care for Vanessa Selbst's attitude, but I appreciate that she is one of the most successful female poker players DESPITE the fact that she doesn't use her boobs to reach success.

I did not say boobs, and I used that term because the other guy did, were a woman's biggest asset. Basically, I think they can be a weapon at the poker table and if not used when possible, a woman is not using everything in her arsenal.

Poker is a game with a psychological component. We should not fault women, who use their bodies, because we don't agree with it.

Aren't people supposed to be able to act the way they want?

I'm well aware of your position, regardless of which term you use. And my response was in general, not to you personally. I give as much credit to a woman who uses her breasts as "arsenal" as I do to any loudmouth, drunk idiot who is using their behavior to put everyone on tilt - basically, zero.

<Aren't people supposed to be able to act the way they want?>
Within the rules of the poker room and game, yes, but that doesn't equate to respect, skills, or integrity; and I never suggested that women who want to act a certain way shouldn't, that's up to them. I, did, suggest, however, that anyone else suggesting that they *should* act a certain way is insulting.

And I am not suggesting anyone, at the poker table, should act a certain way. I am saying someone should be able to if they want.

I find the women who don't use sexuality hating on women who do to be laughable.

Just because a woman uses sexuality as one of her tricks that doesn't make her the worst representative. Going further, even if it is her only trick, that doesn't make her the worst.

+1 to Vicky Coren, at least as far as the UK goes for the reasons people already gave

Tyvm can't tell u how much this was appreciated today ... Best of luck to you at the tables!

best = Vanessa Selbst

worst= Phil Helmuth

Phil Helmuth is the worst representative of women?

Interesting question I am not going to slam anyone but Vannessa Selbst is an amazing player with high education for the game! Has the resume to show for it! I have played with her a lot including poker night in America. I have improved my game from
Watching her. See you all in vegas.

Who ever saved Joey Ingream from the brothel,

Lol vanesso selbst...