Like many poker rooms across the US, Cherokee Casino Resort is no stranger to the women of poker. Just as women take main event seats in poker tournaments across the globe, a handful of local ladies have made their names known at Cherokee Casino.

Kim Benzel, Debbie Inman and Deborah Hale are the first female members of Team Cherokee, an elite group of poker players who are quickly climbing the poker ranks on a local and national level.

"It's a privilege to be a part of Team Cherokee," said team member Kim Benzel. "As women, we all worked very hard to get on the team. It's different playing against men, a more aggressive level, and it's still a 10-to-1 ratio of men to women in the poker room. But you're starting to see more women playing tournaments, and for the three of us to make Team Cherokee at the same time is really something."

Team Cherokee began two years ago when the casino held quarterly qualifying tournaments and the top point earners were sent by Cherokee Casino to poker tournaments across the nation.

"Team Cherokee was created to extend the playing field for our Cherokee Casino players. It's exciting for members to play in the bigger tournaments here and across the U.S. I'm excited that women are increasing the competition. These three ladies are a great addition to Team Cherokee," said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates Cherokee Casinos.

"I'm proud to represent Cherokee when I play across the country, and I tell everyone that's where I play and how nice it is. It's lots of fun to travel and play in bigger tournaments under the Cherokee name," said Debbie Inman, Team Cherokee member.

Inman was one of the first ladies to join Team Cherokee, and the first female member of the team to place in the money at a Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge main event, when she finished eighth in the SNPC V main event in November 2008 and won more than $17,000.

"When I first started playing poker about three years ago, I was intimidated as heck walking into the poker room. But since then I've made so many friends; people are so welcoming. One of the great things about being on Team Cherokee is the support you receive while playing. After I monied in the main event in the last Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge, I received a standing ovation. It made me feel great," said Inman.

For these three women, playing poker is their pastime, and playing in a sport traditionally dominated by men is just part of the game.

"Cherokee Casino is my home away from home, and I've made a lot of friends there, my poker buddies as I like to call them. I don't get intimidated by men, not even if Scotty Nguyen were sitting at the table. It's just cards. It's how you play and how you read them," said Deborah Hale, another Team Cherokee member.

Membership in Team Cherokee is earned by points acquired when playing daily, weekly, or monthly tournaments. The next Team Cherokee trip is to the 2009 World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this April.

Team Cherokee members just competed for seats in the 2009 Oklahoma State Championship of Poker, which runs from February 5 - 16 at Cherokee Casino. The tournament consists of 24 events, including no limit hold 'em, pot-limit Omaha, 6-handed no limit hold 'em, ladies no limit hold 'em, triple draw and 7-stud/8. Buy-ins range from $120 to $3,150. For more information about Cherokee Casino and Team Cherokee, visit www.CherokeeCasino.com or call 800.760.6700.

Bonnie Demos is a poker player and award winning chef, and has enjoyed working in the gaming industry for the past several years. Write her at bdemos1@wi.rr.com