Congratulations, Ladies!

A dream of every poker player – man or woman, amateur or pro – is to win a bracelet at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), or a World Poker Tour title. And if you're a professional player who has played in the WSOP for a number of years, it eats at you if you haven't won a bracelet. Until this year, that was the case for Kathy Liebert, Cyndy Violette, and Annie Duke.

This column is being written the day after Mother's Day, and with 19 WSOP events completed so far, women have captured four bracelets. Thus far, the women are wreaking havoc on everyone at this year's WSOP. They are crushing the old myth, "Poker is a man's game."

In the 35-year history of the WSOP, only seven women – Vera Richmond, Barbara Enright, Linda Johnson, Maria Stern, Jerri Thomas, Jennifer Harman (twice), and Nani Dollison – have captured titles in open events. Considering that only about 5 percent of the field in open events (ones in which anyone can enter) are women, this is quite an accomplishment.

At the World Series of Poker, Mother's Day is the traditional day for the ladies world championship. This year's crown went to Huong Doan from San Diego. While she was capturing the ladies title and $58,530, Annie Duke, mother of four, opted to play in an open event that was being held simultaneously, the $2,000 buy-in Omaha eight-or-better tournament. It turned out to be a daily double for the ladies.

Move over, guys, the women are here to stay. Their results are improving, as is their quality of play. And if a woman ever wins the $10,000 WSOP championship event, the prize money will be secondary to the notoriety she will receive. I hope it's someone who will enjoy going on the talk show circuit, because they'll all be calling. And it's a cinch that there will be a book and movie deal for her. (Ladies, I hope you see the extra value you are getting when playing in televised no-limit hold'em championship events.)

Annie Duke

Cyndy Violette

Kathy Liebert

Annie, Kathy, and Cyndy are top poker pros who have proven their mettle as poker players over the years. They have played in high-stakes cash games and big-time tournaments for years. Annie is number one in cashes for women at the WSOP, and Kathy and Cyndy are high on the list. And as you probably know, Kathy captured the inaugural PartyPoker.com Million, an event that had a $1 million first prize.

At the 2004 WSOP, Cyndy won the $2,000 buy-in stud eight-or-better tournament ($135,900), Kathy the $1,500 buy-in limit hold'em shootout ($110,180), and Annie the $2,000 buy-in Omaha eight-or-better tournament ($137,860). Believe me, their gold bracelets are well-deserved.

A word to the wise: If you enter a tournament and go to your table and find these three felines sitting there, don't consider yourself lucky about your draw. They may look good, but looks can be deceiving. You should be saying, "Damn, why can't I ever draw a good table?" Players who have been around know these three ladies are not talking about the PTA or decorations for the debutante ball. Players think of them as great white sharks whose ocean is the green felt – and you should, too.

It's nice to see top players who have paid their dues win bracelets at the WSOP. These three have certainly done that. Congratulations, Cyndy, Kathy, and Annie for capturing your first WSOP bracelets.

A forecast for the future: Look for more ladies playing in tournaments – and winning them!

Take care.

Mike Sexton is the host of PartyPoker.com and a commentator on the World Poker Tour, which can be seen every Wednesday night on the Travel Channel.