In March of 2011, a new section of the forum was launched. “That’s What She Said!” was designated as “a place to discuss female specific issues related to poker and other subjects.” And as signified by moderators who posted the rules of the forum from the start, it would be heavily monitored for trolls and men looking to “pick up women.” Men were welcome to post, but they could be given warnings for any transgressions deemed harmful to the forum or the women posters.

The first few posts uncovered quite a few trolls, skeptics, and people with possibly little else to do with their time. A topic called “Really” was started to see who would post in it. Constructive? Not in the least. But as long as no one was particularly offensive, it stayed. Other topics were similarly test posts and merely took up space.

On the other hand, more women found the space and marked their territory. There were posts that looked to be very helpful. One discussed ways that female players stay off tilt, several broached the subject of playing live poker for the first time, and more offered information to players about women-only tournaments live and online. Some of the more popular threads took on controversial topics of women-only tournaments, while others provided an opportunity for female players to vent about rudeness, insults, and sexism at the poker tables. And in the wake of Black Friday, it provided an outlet for women to vent about their online poker options that were taken away by the U.S. government.

It seemed by all accounts that 2+2 was moderating the forum section quite intensely, so as to keep it alive and allow women to feel safe posting in that environment. And providing such a forum for women could only improve the reputation of the site in general through the eyes of women.

Personally, I have notoriously been opposed to segregation in poker. I feel that most women-only tournaments miss the point of integrating women into the game, and I often write that by separating ourselves from a game that is inherently not gender specific, we lose the point of trying to be seen as equals. My opinions to that effect have not changed.

With that said, I looked upon the 2+2 “That’s What She Said!” forum and others provided by sites like Women Poker Player with a fresh eye recently. I saw the comfort level that comes with a safe environment in which women can vent their frustrations, seek help from like-minded players and fans, and openly express their fears and concerns. I saw the camaraderie and friendships, the advice provided, and the encouragement.

Even discussions that were heated and filled with disagreement never became truly disrespectful or cruel. There were no pictures of bouncing boobs, and there was very little off-topic conversation. Respect for the space seemed to rule the space.

Though I maintain that women-only tournaments are not the way to bring women into poker, the forums that provide a safe place for women have softened my views a wee bit. As long as these spaces are monitored and protected, there is the possibility that more women may seek advice about making poker part of their lives. That is a positive, in my view.

The future of said forums may be in jeopardy to some extent, as many women who found a home and much comfort with online poker in the United States will no longer have that option. The forums will remain for some time, but if the number of women who play poker decreases drastically, so might their participation in the forums. Considering most of them are U.S.-based, the overall interest may fade over time if they can’t actually play the game. Conversely, the forums may become more of a meeting place for women who will transition to live poker games.

Whatever their future, it seems that they serve a purpose in a growing community of poker players. Women find comfort in the game as well as the friendships formed, and they will hopefully transform those positives into some form of poker action that keeps drawing women to the poker tables.

 See also: He Said: On the New 2+2 Forum for Women