Dallas, TX -- A former travel agent has pushed all her chips in by turning her love of poker into a full time job.

Professional poker player Clonie Gowen says she gave up her plush job organizing travelers' trips for playing in poker tournaments.

The big career change wasn't "too much of a transition," the 33-year-old says, "the only difference is I don't have to go into an office anymore."

Gowen's career switch has proved to be bad news for her competitors on the World Poker Tour, which includes nearly 75 regulars -- six of which are female.

Last year, she won more than $25,000 in a poker tournament and is considered one of the poker world's up-and-coming female stars.

Gowen figures some of her success is due to disrespect from the male players. As she puts it, "They never give the women the credit they deserve and it's costing them a lot of money."

Gowen will be featured on "Ladies Night II," a female-only poker tournament airing Dec. 15 on the Travel Channel.

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