I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to write me. I'm absolutely flattered by the love, attention, kind words and support that I've been showed.

Of course there will always be haters and I have been appalled at some of the nasty messages I've received from complete strangers who I've never had a conversation with a day in my life. They somehow feel it is their place to judge me based on four episodes of POKER television. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I truly am sorry if watching me on TV rubbed anyone the wrong way. Unfortunately it's almost impossible to weed through the editing and TV screen and see the real time and real scenarios in which my words and actions occurred. Furthermore, if you don't personally know me and you may not understand my joking and sarcastic personality at the tables where I'm just having some fun and harmless banter with the boys. Before you judge remember that you saw 7 EDITED TV hours of a tournament that I played for an entire week and close to 100 hours of time. I don't think there is a single person who I played with live who would walk away and say anything negative about how I personally treated them at the tables or that I didn't show respect to my fellow table mates.

It's obvious that by being a woman in a male dominated field/sport I will come under ten times more scrutiny than the man sitting next to me. There were so many comments and behaviors by other players that I observed in watching the WSOP coverage that make some of my comments which have received harsh criticism... laughable. It's unfair that I am being held to a different standard than my fellow male players but HEY, life isn't fair, poker sure as hell is not and as the minority in this industry I just have to accept that as status quo.

At the end of the day poker is a competition. Everyone is trying to win. I hate to say it but you’re NOT there to make friends. It’s an emotional and unfair game therefore there are bound to be squabbles that breakout but that doesn't mean that off the felt that player isn't a kind and good person. Kobe Bryant is sure to foul someone while running the court trying to make and block a basket. Wayne Gretzky has his share of penalties and body checks. Every word and action is heightened in the midst of an intense competition where the goal is to BEAT the other player. Emotions run high and frustration can inevitably lead to arguments and moments of losing your 'cool' and sanity. Not to mention the huge psychological factor that is present specifically in the game of poker, which induces words and actions that someone would never implement in their daily life.

No, I am not a dainty little girl who is prim and proper.  I never have been. I was never the kid who wanted to go play with Barbies with the other girls, you'd more readily find me racing with and playing sports with the boys.   I love competition!  You won't find me at a poker table batting my lashes and blowing kisses to the other players. I don't think Jen Harman, Annie Duke and Kathy Liebert are overridingly known for being the most 'graceful' and 'sweet' players.  Not to say they aren't kind people but each of these women have developed and play with a pretty tough exterior that is NECESSARY when you're constantly going head to head with MEN.  It's a huge advantage to be feared and respected at the poker table and as a female you're automatically at a disadvantage in that department when you sit down at the table.  Yes, it's true!  Guys don't tend to fear or respect the chick sitting down at the table.  In fact, I see many men try to bully girls in poker.  Therefore you've got to say and do something to earn the fear and respect of the other players at your table and yes, sometimes the toughness, confidence and aggression required can look like bitchiness. I am a young woman with a little spice and attitude who isn't afraid to jump into a male dominated game that involves aggression, psychology, and mathematics (these very characteristics of the game aren't usually synonomous with being 'lady-like' or a woman) and battle it out with the boys. 

I had an amazing time in the WSOP Main Event. I hope that every poker player gets to experience a high in their career like THAT! I have nothing but respect and good will toward each player that I played with and got to know during that week. I feel a special bond with the players who also made it deep in the Main Event and am excited to see them around, give them a hug and hear how their game is going. I know I can't make everyone happy. Not everyone will understand my GAME and if you make a habit of judging people based on what you hear in the media and see on TV then I guess you'll spend most of your life making bad reads. I can assure you that if we ever meet in person I WILL give you the time of day, I WILL be more than happy to talk with you, I WILL bond with you over our love and frustration with the game of poker, I WILL treat you with kindness and respect... and yes, maybe even harass you a little for playing 6-7 to a raise... even if it was SUITED!!

(Thanks to ‘Rocket Man’ for sharing this quote with me)

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither.”  (Theodore Roosevelt)