Famous female gamblers have made significant contributions to the world of gambling throughout history. These women have defied gender norms and excelled in a male-dominated industry. In this article, we will explore the stories of some of the most renowned female gamblers, from the Old West to contemporary poker, and how they paved the way for future generations of women in gambling.

Lottie Deno: The Roul-Lottie of the Old West

Born in Kentucky in 1844, Lottie Deno learned to gamble from her father, a wealthy racehorse breeder. After losing all her money in Detroit, she started playing poker on riverboats along the Mississippi River. She earned her nickname, Deno, from the Spanish word for money. In San Antonio, Texas, Lottie met fellow gambler Frank Thurmond, and they eventually married and gave up their life of gambling. Lottie Deno died at the age of 89 in Deming, New Mexico.

Eleanor Dumont: Madame Moustache and the Queen of Blackjack

Born as Simone Jules in 1829, Eleanor Dumont moved to Nevada City, California, in 1854 and opened a gambling parlour named after the game she excelled at, Vingt-et-un. Although she allowed men to visit her parlour, she didn’t allow other women to deal or play. After several years of success, she left Nevada City and found work across California, Arizona, and Montana. In the 1860s, she added brothel operating to her repertoire. She settled down with a man who conned her out of her fortune, forcing her to return to gambling. Eleanor Dumont died in 1879 after losing a great deal of money in a card game.

Maria Gertrudis Barcelo: The Queen of Sin

Maria Gertrudis Barcelo, also known as The Queen of Sin, was born at the turn of the century and rose to fame thanks to an illegal gambling venue she ran in Ortiz Mountains, New Mexico. Unlike most famous female gamblers of her time, Barcelo never engaged in prostitution. She kept her dealings within the gambling sector and was a successful businesswoman and player of the card game Monte. She amassed a fortune from her gambling business in Santa Fe, over $350,000 in today’s money.

Alice Ivers: Poker Alice of the Old West

Alice Ivers, also known as Poker Alice, was a skilled poker player in the Old West. She was a tough woman who carried a gun and both played and dealt poker. Poker Alice claimed to have earned $250,000 in her lifetime.

Vanessa Selbst: One of the Best Poker Players of All Time

Vanessa Selbst is considered one of the best poker players of all time. She has won over $11 million in live tournaments and is the only woman to have won three World Series of Poker bracelets in open events. Selbst retired from poker in 2018 to focus on her career as a hedge fund manager.

Other Notable Female Gamblers

Annie Duke, also known as the Duchess of Poker, is a former professional poker player who won a gold bracelet at the World Series of Poker in 2004 and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship in 2010.

Jennifer Harman is an American professional poker player who has won two World Series of Poker bracelets. She is considered one of the best female poker players in the world and has won millions of dollars in poker tournaments.

Barbara Enright is an American professional poker player who has won three World Series of Poker bracelets. She was the first woman to reach the final table of the Main Event at the World Series of Poker, finishing in fifth place in 1995.

Shannon Elizabeth Fadal, a former fashion model and actress, played the Main Event of the 2005 World Series of Poker and scored a win in a tournament that celebrated the launch of a new poker room at Caesars Palace a year later.

Jennifer Tilly won a 2005 World Series of Poker bracelet and a hefty sum of $158,625 during the Ladies’ No-Limit Texas hold ’em event, defeating 600 participants. She is considered one of the best-known celebrity poker aficionados.

Although women’s gambling was frowned upon throughout much of history, women now gamble on equal footing as men. However, research has shown that men are more inclined to engage in gambling activities than women. Men gamble twice as much as women, and men are three times more likely to develop gambling problems than women.

In conclusion, famous female gamblers have made significant contributions to the gambling industry. They have proven that women are just as capable as men in this field and have paved the way for future generations of female gamblers.