Victoria Coren has changed her mind about ladies only poker tournaments

Victoria Coren has backed controversial 'ladies only' poker tournaments, claiming they help attract women into the game.

The 37-year-old, who boasts career winnings of more than £1 million, admitted she used to object to the events - which critics claim are sexist by definition - on principle, but has since changed her mind.

He comments come just a month after her fellow pro, Maria Ho, sparked outrage by claiming women in poker were too scared to play with men and desperately needed the protection of female-only tournaments.

Coren says she supports this view after playing in a recent ladies only tournament - at the PCA in the Bahamas - herself for the first time in a decade.

She said: "I disliked the very principle of women-only tournaments (why the handicap? This isn't weightlifting, it's a game of cards).

"But I was persuaded that they are great for newcomers who are shy to transfer into the male-dominated live arena.

"Anything that brings in new players is good for the game. I just felt they weren't for me."

However, writing in her weekly Guardian column, Coren admits her Damascene conversion may be down to a more traditional aspiration in poker - taking money off weaker players.

She added: "This year, a fellow female pro told me I was an idiot.

"She reminded me that poker is all about looking for the best spots to win money.

"A limited field, with many relative newcomers, was bound to offer value. "So I gave it a spin and made the final, winning $9000.

"Almost more importantly, it was an enjoyable and different couple of days."

Last month Ho, 27, sparked a furious debate on poker forums after claiming that men strategically targeted women players for intimidation - affirming the need for the controversial events.

She said: "There are still so many women that I talk to on a personal basis that are honestly intimidated to sit down and join a table full of men.

She said: "There is still a lot of protocol that players are kind of expected to know from the beginning, such as how to bet, when to bet and what you can and cannot say.

"If a woman sits down and is immediately thrust into that atmosphere, she may not have a good experience and may never come back.