Poker News Daily: You were camped out over the last two months at the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP). How did this year’s tournament series compare to years past?
Tyner: It was more organized this year. There was actually a cap on the number of entrants for each event, which is helpful to the players. I learned the hard way that feeling great on a Sunday and registering for a tournament on a Monday doesn’t mean I’ll be up for it when the time comes, so I’m through doing that.
PND: Rebuy tournaments were stricken from the 2009 WSOP schedule, as Harrah’s officials claimed that they favored players with deep pockets. Where do you stand on the issue?
Tyner: I hate rebuys and I’m absolutely thrilled. To me, they are not a test of poker skills. They are just pocketbooks against pocketbooks until the rebuy period is over.
PND: You’re one of the founders of the Ladies Diamond Poker Club. Talk about how you became involved with the organization, which introduces women to the game.
Tyner: [Co-Founder] John George and I met at a poker table. He’s a nice guy and a hard worker in getting this going. I’m thrilled to have him as a partner. It’s intimidating for women at the tables. We’re trying to get a lot of women over the hump and help them become secure enough to play.
The Ladies Diamond Poker Club designed for entertainment; it’s a club. It’s for that lower level player who wants to come in and play. I wouldn’t play in it. It’s not my idea of fun to take time away from my family and play in a $200 buy-in tournament, but there are a lot of women who enjoy it. We’re not catering to top-notch female tournament players.
PND: Are women still treated differently at the poker table than men or is that a vestige from years past?
Tyner: Nothing intimidates me, but I’ve been in politics for 30 years, so it’s hard to bother me. It’s not a friendly environment at a poker table if a person is inexperienced. Everyone at the table hammers on them. It is the nature of the beast and if we can do anything to make them feel more comfortable, then we’ve done our job.
PND: Nearly everyone who leaves a Ladies Diamond Poker Club tournament receives prizes. Talk about the importance of that.
Tyner: Everyone wants to leave a poker tournament a winner. We try to make people feel good about themselves. It’s a tough game. I like to do whatever I can get to more people included in it. It’s not set to compete with the World Poker Tour, but we’ve developed our own niche.
