Meet Jennifer Harman - Part II

In my last column, I started to tell you about the amazing success story that is Jennifer Harman. She first fell in love with the game of poker at the age of 8, and climbed her way all the way to the top of a "man's world."

That success didn't come without obstacles and pitfalls, though. In 1993, it appeared that Jennifer would possibly quit playing professionally, but she persevered and the whole experience made her that much stronger.

Today, she is one of the most successful female poker players in the world, and also happens to be the person I go to for advice about poker, and life. She is a regular in the biggest poker game in the world today, at Bellagio. In this game, she holds her own … and some of theirs!

I would like to continue sharing with you some of the conversation I had with Jennifer at the Horseshoe's bar recently.

Daniel Negreanu: When you are not playing, what do you do for fun?

Jennifer Harman: I love staying home and playing with my dogs. I'd kill for them. I have four blue heelers, and my husband bought a pit bull about a year ago. Other than that, I like going to movies and hanging out with friends.

DN: Your husband? How long have you been married?

JH: I've been married now for almost two years. My husband (Marco) is great; we get along so well. He comes with me to play poker sometimes, and it's amazing what he's picked up just from watching me play. He is so good at reading people.

DN: Is he a poker player himself?

JH: No, but he likes to play no-limit hold'em. Incredibly, he plays one-table tournaments online at ultimatebet.com and wins a ton of them. He also finished fourth in the first tournament he played in at The Mirage. It's great to see him play. I think the fact that he plays sometimes now makes things easier on me. Sometimes when I have a big loss, I come home in a bad mood and can be really cranky. I think now that Marco plays poker sometimes, too, he knows how I feel and lets me vent my frustration without taking anything personal. Poker can be very frustrating, and I wear my emotions on my sleeves, but Marco has been extremely supportive of my career.

DN: What is your favorite poker game? Or, which game do you think is your best game?

JH: It's hard to say, because I like all the games. In my game we don't play one game; it's always a mix. I definitely have played more hours of hold'em, but I'm not sure I'd say that's my best game. It was always a goal of mine to learn how to play all the games well, rather than specializing in just one game.

DN: So, it's important at your level not to have a weak game?

JH: Well, yeah. I mean, if you are playing all the different games an equal percentage of the time, you'll get crushed if you know how to play only one game well.

DN: What future poker goals have you set for yourself?

JH: Well, basically, I just want to be the best player I can be, and continue to improve. Other than that, I've decided to play a few more events at the World Series this year, rather than the cash games I normally play. I've also been working hard on my no-limit play, because I'd like to win the "big one" one day. Tournaments are completely different, but I think I'm getting the hang of them.

DN: In your opinion, how are they different from cash games?

JH: They just are. I mean, in a cash game, you always just make your decision based on the way the hand was played and your read of your opponents. In tournaments, there is so much other stuff to think about, like conserving chips, avoiding marginal situations, playing aggressively against short stacks, and so on. They are just so different.

DN: I agree. Whose poker skills do you most respect? Or, better said, who have been some of your toughest opponents?

JH: Chip Reese, for one. Also, I think Ted Forrest and John Hennigan have so much poker talent, it's scary.

DN: Now, here's a question that's asked all the time. Is being a woman an advantage or a disadvantage to you at the poker table?

JH: It probably helps me to be a woman. In general, most men don't think women can play. So, what often happens is that they try to run over me.

DN: What do you mean by "run over you"?

JH: They bluff their money off to me. I guess they see me as a meek little girl and think that I'm easily bluffed. I'm not!

DN: Is it difficult being at the top of what has always been known as a "man's world"?

JH: Kind of. I wouldn't say it's difficult, really, but earning respect as a player and being a woman at the same time probably is. That's not really important to me, though. What's important to me is to be respected by my husband and my close friends. I couldn't care less if my opponents don't respect my play. In fact, that could only help me in the long run.

DN: Well, Jenn, thanks for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with our readers, and good luck at the World Series. I'm sure lots of people will be rooting for you.

JH: No problem, Daniel. By the way, it's your turn to buy the next round.

DN: Oh, right, of course … cocktails!

Daniel can be reached through his website at www.fullcontactpoker.com. You also can find past columns there, as well as some other features that should be updated shortly.