How Jennifer Harman-Traniello is Busting Through Female Stereotypes

Pro poker player Jennifer Harman is considered one of the greatest female professionals in the world. Whether she is sitting at the table at the latest tournament or otherwise competing for cash, she is busting through gender stereotypes and earning her keep in this classic pastime.

Jennifer Harman's Career

She started playing when she was just eight years old by sitting at the table with her father and his friends. Her early start gave her an advantage when she went professional after she turned 21. She worked her way to the top of the industry by competing in games with increasing limits, and now she is one of two women with two World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets. She won her first bracelet in the 2000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball Event after only receiving a five-minute tutorial session just before the start of the session. Additionally, she has made it to the final table twice at the World Poker Tour. Her live tournament winnings exceed $2.4 million, with nearly $1 million of her winnings coming from cash at the WSOP. She's also one of the only regular professional female gamblers at the Bellagio, where she participates in the "Big Game" which is one consisting of high stakes. She also participates in "The Corporation," a group of high-stakes gamblers competing against Andy Beal for between $100,000 and $200,000.

How She Is Breaking Down Barriers

Many view pro poker player Jennifer Harman as a feminist icon as she is one of the few successful females in the industry. Unfortunately, there are also people who view women as poor competitors. However, she uses this negative stereotype to her advantage by spotting bluffs left and right when at the table. Even though she has earned her place at the best tournaments in the world, she prefers playing for real cash because the strategy is about the play of hands and opponent estimations. While she might be known as a cash game specialist, she is always on the lookout for ways to improve her table strategy. She has been known to practice poker by watching multiple hands several times before competing. It's obvious by her impressive bankroll that her diligent preparation has worked to her advantage.

Pro poker player Jennifer Harman is one of the best in the industry, if not the best woman in the game. Her diligence and disciplined strategy has earned a steady bankroll, as well as the respect from her peers in the industry.