Long known as a male-dominated industry, from the smoke-filled saloons of the Wild West to modern-day high-stakes poker tables and corporate boardrooms of gaming empires, this is a history of trailblazing women who broke the mold, shattered stereotypes, and left their mark on this industry. These women have shaped the gambling world with skill, determination, and vision, inspiring future generations.

Let’s explore the stories of these incredible women, their backgrounds, net worth, and the most famous plays that have cemented them in gambling history.

Who are the Most Popular Women in the Gambling World?

Lottie Deno (“Poker Queen”)

Lottie Deno was a well-known poker player from Kentucky who rose to fame during the Civil War period. She learned to play cards from her father and became known for her expertise at gambling tables throughout Texas. 

Deno’s nickname came from a drunken cowboy who remarked on her winnings and called her “Lotta Dinero.” Her legacy as one of Texas’s most famous poker players endures today.

• Net Worth: While exact figures are unavailable, Lottie reportedly donated $40,000—a significant sum at the time—to help build St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Deming, which she helped found.

• Most Famous Play: Her most famous game was the one in which she remarkably emerged victorious against the notorious and legendary Doc Holliday in a poker match of great tension and excitement. This finally sealed her place in history as one of the greatest players of her time.

Alice “Poker Alice” Huckert

Alice Ivers Duffield Huckert, known more famously as Poker Alice (1851-1930), was among the first successful female gamblers in the American West. Born in England and raised in Virginia, she was famous for her poker skills during the gold rush era. Poker Alice was known for smoking cigars and playing cards, an unusual look. 

Throughout her career, she ran casinos and earned a reputation as one of the most brutal dealers. The challenges of being a female in society deterred her from becoming a celebrated figure whose legacy continues to inspire today.

• Net Worth: On some nights, Alice could win as much as $6,000 from gambling, an enormous amount of money at the time. She is said to have won $250,000 in her career, which would be more than $3 million today. No set data on her total net worth exists.

• Controversy: There was also a significant controversy in 1913 when Alice shot and killed a soldier at her establishment, “Poker’s Palace.” Soldiers from Fort Meade were attempting to enter her resort forcefully. She opened fire, and one soldier, Private Fred Koetzle, died, and several others were wounded. Although initially arrested, she was not charged for the shooting as it was deemed self-defense.

Eleanor Dumont (“Madame Moustache”)

Eleanor Dumont (c. 1829-1879), or Madame Moustache, for the dense growth of facial hair she wore, was one of the more notable among the gamblers of the California Gold Rush era. She managed successful gaming rooms in several Western towns and was deemed attractive and reasonably adept at card games. 

The saloons she maintained catered only to respectable-looking males, and an aura of polish surrounded her businesses. She met her end from an overdose of morphine in sad circumstances as she succumbed to the pressures of finance finally.

• Net Worth: Eleanor won considerable amounts in her casino, though the exact figures are unknown. Anecdotal accounts reported that her winnings were “well beyond most men of her time.”

• Controversy: Dumont’s background is unknown. She said she was French, but the estimates are that she was born Simone Jules around 1829 to possibly French Creole parents in New Orleans. An inconsistency added to the mystique of her fame and contributed to her controversial reputation.

Annette Obrestad

Annette Obrestad, born on September 18, 1988, in Norway, is a former poker prodigy who made history as the youngest player to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. Starting her poker journey online at just 15, she quickly gained fame for her exceptional skills and aggressive strategy. In 2007, at only 18, she won the first-ever World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event, earning £1 million ($2.01 million).

With over $3.9 million in live tournament earnings, she became a legend in the poker world. One of her most remarkable feats was winning a 180-person online tournament without looking at her cards. By 2012, she shifted focus, leaving poker to pursue new passions. Today, Annette runs a popular YouTube channel, Annette’s Makeup Corner, and has also ventured into competitive Scrabble.

• Net Worth: Annette Obrestad’s net worth is estimated between $2 million and $3.9 million, largely from her $3.9 million career poker earnings and other ventures like her YouTube channel.

• Controversies: In the UK, an advertisement featuring Annette Obrestad was banned after a complaint deemed it irresponsible for potentially encouraging children to gamble. The incident underscores the sensitive nature of poker advertising, particularly when showcasing young players.

Vanessa Selbst

Vanessa Selbst, born in 1984, is one of history’s most successful female poker players. She has won over $15 million in her career and is the only woman to be ranked #1 on the Global Poker Index. 

Selbst has won three WSOP bracelets and is known for her aggressive play and strategy. Although she quit professional poker in 2018, she now lives a quiet family life and still wields enormous influence in the poker world.

• Net Worth: Over $11.9 million in career earnings from live poker tournaments.

• Most Significant Play: Her victory at the 2010 Partouche Poker Tour cemented her status as one of the most formidable players in the game

Barbara Enright

Barbara Enright is a poker legend known for breaking the mold in a men-dominated game. She began playing poker when she was four years old and became a professional in 1976. Enright has numerous records, one of which is that she was the first woman to be included in the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, where she finished fifth in 1995. 

Due to her contributions to poker, Enright has won three WSOP bracelets and entered several halls of fame. She is also a women’s poker advocate and the editor-in-chief of Woman Poker Player magazine.

• Net Worth: Approximately $1.8 million in tournament winnings.

• Most Significant Play: Her 1996 performance in the WSOP Main Event, where she became the first woman to reach the final table, remains a defining moment in poker history.

Cathy Hulbert

Cathy “Cat” Hulbert (1950-2022) was a trailblazing figure in the gambling world, celebrated for her extraordinary talent in blackjack and poker. Starting as a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas in 1977, her encounter with a member of “The Czechs,” a famed card-counting team, inspired her to become one of the first professional female card counters. Hulbert joined Ken Uston’s renowned blackjack team, achieving immense success and earning bans from over 150 casinos worldwide.

Her fearless determination saw her arrested nearly 50 times for re-entering casinos in disguise. Later, she shifted to poker, where she gained global recognition, with Card Player magazine naming her a top seven-card stud player in 1996. The Game Show Network also crowned her “the best female gambler on Earth.” In 2022, her incredible career was honored with induction into the Blackjack Hall of Fame.

• Net Worth: Cathy Hulbert reportedly earned around $5 million during her gambling career, though her exact net worth at the time of her passing remains undisclosed.

• Controversy: She was a key member of Ken Uston’s infamous card-counting team, renowned for their mastery of blackjack strategies. Her exceptional skills led to her being banned from over 150 casinos worldwide and arrested nearly 50 times, often for re-entering establishments in elaborate disguises.

Notable Mention

Judy Bayley (“First Lady of Gambling”)

Known as the “First Lady of Gambling,” Judy Bayley was born in 1915 and died in 1971. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she and her husband started the Hacienda Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1956. When her husband died in 1964, Bayley became the first female to own and operate a significant casino in Nevada. 

Bayley managed the Hacienda profitably until its closure in 1996, using innovative marketing strategies and hands-on management. She was also very charitable, supporting various charitable causes throughout her lifetime.

• Net Worth: While figures are speculative, Judy donated $65,000 in seed money for a new performing arts center at UNLV, later named the Judy Bayley Theatre in her honor.

• Controversy: The Hacienda’s location at the far southern end of the Strip was considered risky. To combat this, Bayley and her husband started their airline to fly in customers, a move that some might have seen as controversial or overly aggressive.

The Gender Divide in Gambling

The gaming industry has taken to inclusivity quite positively but remains male-dominated. A report issued in 2022 still indicates that the share of women lags behind that of their male counterparts both professionally in gambling and at the executive level. Leadership is 3:1, and professionally, it’s about 4:1, but women have kept mowing down the odds, proving that talent and innovation know no gender.

Conclusion

These fantastic stories of women’s lives demonstrate how anyone can pierce through life’s barriers with power, dexterity, and tenacity. From the Wild West to the digital age, these women left an indelible mark on the game world, ensuring that gender was never paving paint to triumph. They inspire and call for a more inclusive gambling industry, paving the way for future generations of women to make a name for themselves.

Disclaimer :- The information provided in this article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Gambling involves risk, and there is no guarantee of success or profit. Always gamble responsibly and within your financial means.