Celebrity Poker Player: Tiffany Michelle

As old as time could tell, women have always fallen prey into stereotypes and typecast shadows of misconception. They are cast in a shell, where they're perceived to be weak, emotional, and just as soft as their feminine instincts could be. Although physical strength is not one of their best attributes, little do people realize that they are actually smarter and a lot stronger than they seem.

So even if poker have always been dominated by men as masters of their own tricks and games, breaking into this new trend and market was no surprise at all for female poker players. However, only recently did women truly became formidable figures in the poker circuit. At a time when poker is starting to go public and is becoming more popular through backrooms and later, through live tournaments and through online casino, women have always been fascinated by this game.

However, they are restricted mostly to home games, which have also been common grounds even for famous celebrity female poker celebrities like Tiffany Michelle: a poker player and commentator, actress, singer and even certified massage therapist – there seems to be nothing she can’t do. Michelle made headlines for being the last woman standing in the 2008 World Series of Poker Tournament Main Event however, she was busted to 17^th place and take part as a sponsor for Ultimate Bet.

Tiffany has quickly become a hot commodity in the poker industry. She first played the game as a kid when her brother and grandfather taught her how to play. She caught the poker bug and started playing more, eventually winning her first Vegas poker tourney. Tiffany Michelle was spotted and recruited for the Bombshell Poker Team and soon afterwards she started reporting for Bluff Radio covering the 2006 World Series Of Poker. Ever since she has been traveling the circuit reporting for Poker News and Bluff.

After that she became an on-camera host for Poker News and covered the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour, European Poker Tour Grand Final, and the World Series of Poker Europe. While she worked as a host for PokerNews, she continued to play online, in Los Angeles, and at various tournaments. She even appeared during the 4^th season of GSN’s The World Series of Blackjack.

In 2008, Tiffany gained instant fame and notoriety at the 2008 World Series of Poker. At the $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’Em main event, Tiffany was looking like she might make history. The field was a staggering 6,844 competitors. Tiffany fought her way through and by the 7th day was in 3rd place in chips with only 27 poker players remaining. She was the last woman standing and many hoped she would become the first woman to win a WSOP Main Event. It wasn’t in the cards and Tiffany busted out in 17th place. She took home $334,534 and a great deal of attention.

Poker Controversy

Tiffany Michelle drew some controversy and criticism from her World Series Of Poker show up. PokerStars had paid for her buy-in into the main event and for the first few days of the event, she wore clothing displaying the PokerNews logo.

Before the final day of the event, after she started to gain media attention for her performance, she was approached by and made a deal with UltimateBet.com, whose logo suddenly appeared on her gear.

After she busted out, PokerNews accused her of selling out and failing to represent the company that paid for her buy-in. Tiffany claimed that even though they provided her entry fee, there was no exclusive contract. The matter is currently being investigated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Interview With The “Hot Chips”

Let me give some snippets in the PKR GRL interview with Tiffany Michelle:

Getting Into Poker

PKR GRL: Why and how did you get into Poker?

Tiffany M: “I grew up playing a lot of card games with my family and I can remember sitting around with my grandfather and brothers playing Five-Card Draw. I discovered Texas Hold ’Em when I was acting and would receive invites to play in Hollywood house games. I began playing a weekly game with Zach Levi and Joel David Moore and that’s really where I discovered that I had a natural instinct for the game. I was introduced to the professional world of poker when I spent the summer in Vegas in 2006 doing the On-Air hosting for Bluff Magazine’s coverage on Sirius Satellite Radio. ”

Experiences From The World Series Of Poker 2008

PKR GRL: What kinds of opportunities has the fame from your poker success brought you?

Tiffany M: “I was already involved in the Entertainment industry/Hollywood side of things before my run at the WSOP so nothing has changed too dramatically. There’s just a higher volume of invitations and opportunities whether for interviews, press, photo shoots, sporting events or celebrity fundraisers.

I’m receiving more offers to be involved in television shows and projects. I guess on a very basic level fame brings the opportunity to make more money in every avenue."

The World Series Of Poker 2009

PKR GRL: The odds makers are saying that Tom Dwan and Tiffany Michelle are 9/2 to be the winning pair at the 2009 WSOP. How do you fancy your chances this year? And how cool is it for bookies to be predicting your success?

Tiffany M: “Well now talk about pressure. It’s a whole new ballgame when someone has money riding on you! I’m optimistic about my chances this year and I feel like my tournament game is in a really good place but I also know that just by the sheer numbers at the WSOP there is a lot of variance you have to fade.”

Women In Poker- Her Perspective

PKR GRL: Can you give us a little insight into what it’s like being inside the head of a poker girl when you’re typically playing with 9 poker guys?

Tiffany M: “I don’t imagine being inside my head (as a female) is any different than being inside a guy’s head. When you sit down at the table, whether man or woman we’re all playing the same game. So as a player we’re probably considering the same elements. ”

PKR GRL: Do you think your sexuality creates an advantage at the poker table?

Tiffany M: “I don’t think that simply being a female is an advantage because, let’s be honest there isn’t this huge percentage of successful female players. However, if you can understand how men play against women and the preconceived notions they have about women players and not only exploit that but back it up with a solid game then yes, I think that is the advantage. ”

This is the moment of her climb, both as poker player and poker star, and it's one that might signal a change in poker's direction.



Interview article courtesy of http://pkrgrl.com