The women of Wales are rejecting bingo for the more exciting world of poker.

Debbie Channing, one of Wales' top poker players who competed in the Wales Poker League final in Cardiff, explained to Wales On Sunday how women can defeat men at the sport.

"There's not really any intimidation from the men but they underestimate us a lot. But that works to our advantage - men find women difficult to read don't they," she said.

Wales' casinos are cashing in on the trend and are now advertising extensively to attract women to the game.

Irene Hull, from the venue which staged the final, added: "There are a lot more women playing in poker competitions, whether in the UK Poker Tour tournament or in £5 competitions.

"My role is to get as many customers as possible but I'm finding more and more of them are women. We're getting well known for our hen parties and birthdays and we even have a ladies club on the first Thursday of every month where we let ladies' hairdressers or salons come in and showcase."

A 2005 Government poll indicated that up to 40% of online poker players are women.

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Crime author Jimmy Lee Shreeve, who has been labelled the British heir to Hunter S. Thompson, has launched his own poker blog.

Shreeve, the author of "Cannibals" and "Blood Rites" (2006), said: "I set up the poker blog because I've got a hell of a lot of stories to tell about the wild, crazy dog players who inhabit the world of poker.

"Back in the 1980s I was living in Bristol and got involved in a game with a local gangster. We got down to a game of five-card draw and by some fluke, I ended up with a full house - three aces and two eights - which beat the gangster's three-of-a-kind.

"I took the pot. But two days later I was walking home in broad daylight when a big car screeched up beside me. The passenger door flew open and I was dragged inside - it was the gangster.

"I thought I was doomed. But then the gangster says, 'Hey Jimmy, I thought I'd give you a lift home - do you fancy another game of poker?'"

Shreeve believes a very definite state of mind is needed to win at poker. "It's about adopting a zen-like mindset and allowing your subconscious mind to help you make the right moves."

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The "Tiger Woods of Poker" Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu, the second all-time leading money winner on the World Poker Tour, were amongst the stars to lend their support to the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

$325,000 was raised at the Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament in Las Vegas recently with over 250 players in attendance including World Series Of Poker bracelet holders Doyle Brunson, Barry Greenstein, Todd Brunson, Eli Elezra and Yorkshire's own David Ulliot.

The winner of the tournament was virtual unknown Seth Dupre and he was awarded a $10,000 seat into the World Series of Poker main event.

Angus MacKenzie / Eurosport