First Canadian Women's Poker Classic Won by Hannem

Filed in archive Poker on February 20, 2006

This is one of those strange poker events that on the one hand is great for charity, and on the other hand is completely unnecessary.

The first Canadian Women's Poker Classic took place over the weekend and Clarissa Hannam beat 249 women to take the $75,000 pot. The event itself supported Breast Cancer research and raised $30,000 for the cause

"It was great to play in a tournament for women only and to see so many women out to support Breast Cancer research and have a good time playing poker," said Hannem.

So why the confusion over this? Well, firstly, I'm all for the great cause - and if it means $30,000 going to breast cancer research, then lets do more of these tournaments.

However, why on earth is there a poker tournament just for women? No poker tours are men-only - in fact, its increasingly common to see women at the table nowadays - especially on TV. I can't imagine there being a 'men's only' classic and if there was, the uproar that would arise from it. Is there really a need to split the sexes in poker? Cards and skill are not separated by male/female brain cells. Maybe I'm just missing something here..(and yes, i'm female)

Oh well, lets just congratulated the money raised for a good cause

Article: Clarissa Hannem wins Canada's first Women's Poker Classic