In an effort to delve into the heart of poker, Pokerteam.com recently conducted an online survey of over 1,500 adults examining the workings of sexual stereotypes in the game of poker. The study, which ended in January 2007, found that sexual stereotypes indeed play a part in the poker game, just not in the way one would expect.

In January 2002, Amanda Dickman, Professor of Social Psychology at Purdue University of West Lafayette, Indiana, conducted a survey of over 800 adults regarding the personality traits of men and women. Professor Dickman reported that women are subverting sexual stereotypes by displaying characteristics that are traditionally considered male.

In addition, a survey conducted by the World Poker Exchange in 2005, discovered that the likeliness of a woman playing online poker is 6 times higher than a man.

In continuation of these studies, Pokerteam.com's survey revealed that currently 1 in 3 online poker players are women and that women have been increasingly using aggressive strategies when they play poker.

According to the results of Pokerteam.com's study, the following are the 3 main contributors to the rise of women in the poker world:

1. online poker eliminates the intimidation factor of entering a casino dominated by men, while also offering anonymity
2. online poker provides beginners with poker rules, tips, strategies and tutorials that assist novices in learning the game
3. televised poker shows and tournaments like the World Poker Tour (WPT) and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) give poker more exposure

Furthermore, since men expect women to play a more timid and passive poker game, women are increasingly subverting their expectations by playing more aggressively, introducing more opens and raises to their games. Just as Professor Dickman stated, "Women are perceived as having become much more assertive, independent, and competitive over the years."