Women of Poker Part IV: Cyclone on Fifth Street

Clonie Gowen understands the importance of confidence at the poker table

Feb. 8, 2007

By John Vogel
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer

Named after the storm that struck her small Oklahoma town on the day she was born, Cycalona “Clonie” Gowen once viewed her poker playing as nothing more than fun and “a hobby that paid some bills.” Now a serious contender at any table she finds herself, Gowen’s poker playing isn’t a hobby anymore—but it’s still one heck of a way to pay the bills.

Gowen got a taste of what life's like as a winner as she was one of the best players in her state championship basketball team and also very successful in the high jump in track and field. She was also crowned Miss Teen McAlester, Oklahoma.

In this fourth installment of Bodog Nation's six-part Women of Poker series we spoke with Gowen and got to know more about this dynamic poker pro.

A Numbers Game

"I play the math, but I’m not a mathematical player. All of the math that you’ll ever need at a poker table requires a fourth grade education. You don’t need the exact percentages. You can get so caught-up on the math that you lose the other areas of your game that you should be honing in on, such as putting an opponent on a hand. It depends on [the] table. Sometimes I’m gonna be tight, sometimes I’ll be aggressive and other times I’ll be a little loose. It depends on what my opponents are doing, and how I need to counteract in that game."

That Wonderful Male Ego

"Do men treat women differently? Absolutely! You sit down at a game and encounter a couple of different personalities. You have one guy who is just offended that you’re there, so he plays extremely aggressive and overplays his hand. Then you have the ‘protector’ who is usually a solid player, but whenever he has the best hand he says ‘Honey, I have the nuts.’ He would tell you what his hand was because he doesn’t want to take money from you. You remind him of his mother, sister, or girlfriend. You’re not the one he’s after."

 Advice to New Players

"Get out there and don’t be scared. Have the confidence in yourself and know that you can do it. Continue to learn the game. Find someone whose opinion you value, find a successful mentor and ask them to evaluate your game."

PHOTO: Clonie Gowen plying her trade at the felt. (Courtesy www.cloniegowen.com)