Some women are discovering a unique way to enhance their confidence and career success: through poker. This high-stakes game not only offers excitement but also serves as a training ground for developing essential skills in negotiation and risk-taking, which are crucial in the workplace.The gender pay gap remains a significant issue, with women earning only 84% of what men make in full-time positions, according to the latest statistics from the US Department of Labor. This disparity varies by state and may not be fully closed until 2056. To combat this challenge, initiatives like Poker Power, founded by Jenny Just, aim to empower women by teaching them poker. Just note that the poker table mirrors financial decision-making environments, providing opportunities to learn about capital allocation, risk management, and strategic thinking.Erin Lydon, former president of Poker Power, emphasizes that repeated exposure to risk at the poker table helps women become more comfortable making decisions under uncertainty. "We want women to feel like something is at risk," she explains. The repetitive nature of the game helps desensitize players to risk-taking, which can translate into asking for raises or promotions in their careers.Professional poker player and author Maria Konnikova shares her experience of how poker helped her confront her own risk-averse tendencies. Over five years of playing, she became a more confident individual, negotiating better pay and asserting herself more effectively in various situations. "I've raised my speaking fees and negotiated better pay for my writing," Konnikova states.Despite the male dominance in poker—where nearly 97% of tournament players are men—women like Abby Merk, a 24-year-old professional player, are breaking stereotypes. Merk recalls being pigeonholed as passive due to her gender but overcame this by honing her skills and achieving significant success in tournaments. She believes that the mindset developed through poker is beneficial in any workplace setting.Merk highlights the discomfort some men may feel about women in positions of power, stating that persistence is key: "The only way to get around that is to keep doing it." Through initiatives like Poker Power, women are not just learning to play a game; they are building skills that empower them both at the poker table and in their professional lives.