Women are increasingly taking up the game of poker. What used to be a male dominated sport has seen its recent share of successful female players. If you have a female friend that is into poker, consider some poker related gift ideas.

Annie Duke's biography is a fantastic book not only about the life and times of Annie Duke, but also about women playing poker in general. She talks about how she entered into the game of poker, her struggles, and eventually her triumphs. The book is available in both hardcover and in audio format. The audio format includes commentary you won't read in the hardcover format.

Buy your friend some solid poker material. Don't worry about focusing on whether it was written by a woman or a man. Excellent poker books include Super System I and II, Harrington on Holdem, and Psychology of Poker. Jennifer Harman is the writer of the Limit Hold'em section in Super System II. Harman is one of the toughest poker players in the world. She is a frequent player in the big game and has bracelets in No-Limit Hold'em and Lowball.

Plan a poker weekend with your friend. Head out to Atlantic City, Tunica, Los Angeles, or even Las Vegas. There are games all over the country at various stakes to accommodate any player at any ability level. You can even have your friend show you how to play. If you don't want to risk much at the poker table, there are also other entertainment and gambling options.

As women become more of a dominant force in the poker world, it is important that women entering the game are encouraged and supported by their friends and family. A thoughtful poker-related gift will help provide that support that they need. Also, buying them a poker related gift is a lot cheaper than supporting them at the poker tables.