TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

But this year, several women have established themselves as top contenders ready to conquer the world of green felt and show this no longer is just a man's game.

"I think that this is the first year that it is actually possible," said Shirley Rosario, who runs the poker-babes.com Web site. "If a woman wins this year, they'll finally have to stand up and recognize that we can compete with them on their level."

Topping the list is Jennifer Harman of Las Vegas, one of the most feared Texas Holdem players at any high-stakes table. She finished second in a World Series of Poker circuit championship event this year.

She is among the women who should be taken seriously when the cards are shuffled at the World Series of Poker's most well-known event beginning July 7 at the Rio hotel-casino. An estimated 6,600 Texas Holdem players will compete for about $62 million US, with a first prize that could reach an eye-popping $10 million.

"She definitely has a shot," said Toronto native Daniel Negreanu, perhaps the world's best poker player. "She's been tearing it up. Jennifer is already among the greatest players in the world -- men or women. She's a killer. She's a pit bull in a Chihuahua's body."

Joining Harman is Annie Duke, who beat out older brother Howard Lederer -- an elite player himself -- and eight other poker legends last year to win $2 million at the World Series of Poker's Tournament of Champions.

And watch out for Cyndy Violette and Kathy Liebert, an expert at throwing off opposing players with her quizzical expressions and the first woman to take home $1 million in a poker tournament.

Surge in overall popularity

Mirroring poker's national surge in popularity, the main event at the World Series of Poker has grown dramatically among both men and women. Three years ago, only 631 people registered to play.

But since then poker has exploded, thanks to the game being dealt into homes through nightly TV shows, coupled with the success of players like Chris Moneymaker, who qualified for the World Series through an Internet qualifier in 2003 and went on to win the title.

Suddenly, one of the most difficult card games became accessible, and anyone willing to practice could become a big winner.

Also, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the largest gambling company in the world, bought the rights to the World Series of Poker and created the popular championship circuit. Company officials decided to move the tournament to the Rio's cavernous convention hall and announced this will be the last year the finals are held at the historic Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel.

Cowboy gambler Benny Binion began the poker tournament in 1970 to establish the world's best player. Then, only grizzled veterans stood a chance of being crowned king. Binion probably never imagined a woman could win the World Series of Poker's most prized bracelet.

Last year, Suzanne Carpenter finished 21st among the 2,576 contestants who entered the main event -- which requires a $10,000 buy-in. Women made up about 5% of the 2004 field, said Nolan Dalla, the tournament's media director.

Dalla expects that figure to rise slightly this year, meaning the top women players still face very long odds.

"We are all very competitive," said Liebert, who won a Battle of the Sexes episode on the Game Show Network in March.

Even winning this year's ladies no-limit holdem event that had more than 600 entrees -- almost three times the number in 2004 -- was no easy task. Actress Jennifer Tilly took the title and $158,625 on June 27 by topping Liebert and Violette.