Growing up, I didn’t see poker as a game for girls.

My dad and brothers played constantly, with the sounds of them placing bets and shuffling cards always in my periphery. But they never invited me to join them.

They once let me join a game of Texas Hold ‘Em without fully explaining the rules, just to raise the bets early and kick me out as quickly as possible.

I became frustrated and vowed to never play at another uninviting table again.

Decades later, when I discovered that my new job offered a membership to a networking organization that hosted an all-women’s poker night with limited seating, I eagerly signed up, even though I only knew the basics of the game.

It felt like a community I wanted to be a part of since childhood. Additionally, I was curious if the game could help me improve my networking skills.

I needed an outlet to develop a competitive advantage in the workplace

When I joined this initial poker night, I was halfway through my advertising career.

I had spoken on several panels and met regularly with a business coach to hone my leadership skills. But I still thought I needed to invest more in personal development, which, in turn, could help me in the office.

My coach and I thought of innovative ways to maintain a competitive advantage, but I never expected that playing a card game would help me hone my enviable trading skills.

I’m already extremely extroverted, so chatting has never been a problem for me, but I still thought poker night would be a great way to expand my scope of connections.

Unfortunately, my poker prowess was limited to passively watching video clips over my boyfriend’s shoulder. However, once I realized how much the game skewed towards men, I was determined to hone my skills. Also, I was wondering if I would find something useful that could also help me in the business world.

The night of the event, the room was full of energy. The atmosphere was not at all intimidating, as evidenced by wide smiles and warm energy. Every few minutes, a table would erupt in cheers.

Instructors facilitated the game and offered tips on how to think about probability and when to raise the pot.

I won several hands while chatting with the other eight women at my table.

When the event came to an end and the house lights came on, no one wanted to leave. Someone shouted, “I finally learned to bet on myself, don’t make us stop now!”

I love that the game serves as a networking hub to empower others.

After that first night of poker, a few of us in the group committed to hosting a monthly game and have stayed together for over two years.

I have felt the impact of regular attendance: it improved my betting skills and helped me build long-term relationships. The table has also been a natural place to interact with our colleagues, while we spend hours playing and chatting.

Last month, I hosted 23 women from the group in my office and the vibes were the antithesis of a smoky casino.

I loved seeing the conference room equipped with round tables, rather than the intimidating U-shaped seating it normally features.

The room smelled of Jo Malone and popcorn. The Playlist: Chappell Roan and Stevie Nicks. Our poker chips clicked like high heels on marble as I shuffled the deck with one hand and topped off my glass of pinot noir with the other. Being in the office so late has never been more fun.

As we moved the dealer button around the table, our conversation was inherently enriching.

Someone mentioned that they were interviewing for their next job and another talked about their recent promotion, all while placing bets and counting chips.

In my experience, poker skills beget trading skills.

With all this poker experience under my belt, I realized that Texas Hold ‘Em is analogous to the business I navigate every day.

Senior advertising executives like me manage large teams and often make decisions under pressure and with incomplete information. Poker trains me to do just that, since I never know what cards my opponents have, but I still have to check, bet, raise, or fold when it’s my turn.

I’ve considered how the game helps each of us read a room: whether it’s looking for reactions when players look at their cards or reading faces in the boardroom, the skill is the same.

Overall, this game has made me more confident in my 9-5 job, especially when I have to make unpopular leadership decisions that, frankly, don’t always work out the way I expected.

In poker, when I lose a hand, I’m not afraid to bet on the next one. Every hand that is dealt is a new beginning, like a new day of the work week.

Additionally, this hobby has allowed me to meet incredible professionals and help them achieve great victories in felting.

I recently connected with a rookie player who was moving from London to Chicago. She was looking for contract positions and I gladly introduced her to my HR leader.

We call our group “She Runs The Table,” an antidote to disparaging #GirlMath posts on TikTok, a thoughtful counterpoint to a culture that sometimes tells us to lower our bets and smile as we walk away.

But at our table, we upped the ante and continually raised the stakes.