There is more than one way to be a professional poker player. If you only go by what you see on TV, then being a pro poker player might mean participating in big-time tournaments and winning million-dollar purses. Another, more common way to earn a living at poker is the cash game, grinding out session after grueling session to bring home the bacon. Yet another way, one that many who've never set foot in a casino may have never heard of, is to be a "prop player", one who is paid an hourly wage by a casino to sit in on games that are short handed in order to "prop them up." Quite possibly the best known prop player is also making waves in the other two arenas of professional poker, as well as a writer, insider and all-around poker-babe; Shirley Rosario.
Lest you think calling her a poker babe is an insult, it is a label of her own design, and also the inspiration for the name of her website, www.poker-babes.com. Shirley's attitude seems to take the role of women in poker seriously, but with a bit of flirtatious fun; her photo on the first page shows her wearing a shirt that reads "I (heart) boys" yet she makes it clear that the "boys" should never underestimate her or any other woman player, unless they don' t like holding on to their money.
As a prop player, which she fell into while working as a cocktail waitress, Shirley plays poker in the trenches, sharpening her skills everyday with the benefit of knowing she is earning a paycheck. There are risks however, as every dollar she wagers is hers, win or lose. Being a prop player can be frustrating as well, as some players will refuse to play with her, thinking she has an "in with the house", and often she is called away from a game she is enjoying to fill in at another table, which can be frustrating.
Attending school with dreams of becoming a teacher, Shirley decided to stick it out as a cocktail waitress for a while instead, enjoying the money she was earning, to see what would develop. When she found poker, she found a whole new life. Using her insights as a woman and a player who is totally immersed in the world of poker, both brick & mortar and online, Shirley writes about her experiences for her website and others. She has met and played with a laundry list of the best players in the world, and has become one herself; few can match her in Omaha. Shirley still works as a prop player a the Bicycle casino in Las Angeles, California. She encourages readers of her site to stop by and "say hi." If you don't run in to her there, you will likely come across her at any of the major tournaments you might attend as she chases her first championship bracelet. With a life seemingly tailor made to guaranteeing poker success, Shirley's philosophy can best be summed up with this quote from her website:
"Poker was once only a man's game, but not anymore. My name is Shirley Rosario, and welcome to my world."
