In the smoky saloons of the American frontier, where whiskey flowed as freely as fortunes were won and lost, few names commanded the same mix of admiration and fear as Poker Alice. Born into an era when women were expected to stay quiet and out of the way, Alice Ivers Tubbs defied the odds with every card she dealt, every hand she played, and every table she dominated. Armed with a sharp mind, a steady hand, and an unwavering sense of independence, Poker Alice carved out a legend that still fascinates gamblers and frontier enthusiasts alike.

From England to the Wild West

Alice Ivers was born in Devonshire, England, in 1851. Her family immigrated to Virginia when she was still a child, giving her an American upbringing while retaining the refined manners and education typical of a middle-class British household. Alice attended a boarding school for young ladies, where she received a solid education—rare for women of the time.

But the frontier had other plans for Alice. When she married Frank Duffield, a mining engineer, she followed him west to Colorado. Frank introduced Alice to the world of poker, faro, and other gambling games, often taking her to the local saloons and gaming halls. She quickly developed a taste—and a remarkable talent—for cards.

Tragically, Frank’s life was cut short in a mining accident, leaving Alice a widow at a young age. Rather than retreat into mourning or return to family back East, she decided to stay in the mining towns. It was here, amidst the raucous atmosphere of frontier gambling halls, that Poker Alice was born.

Building a Reputation

At a time when women were seldom seen at poker tables, Alice was not only participating—she was winning. Clad in elegant dresses, adorned with fashionable jewelry, and puffing confidently on a cigar, she was impossible to ignore. Her striking appearance was matched by her fearless playing style.

She traveled extensively across the mining towns and boomtowns of the American West, making stops in places like Leadville, Silver City, and most famously, Deadwood, South Dakota. In Deadwood, a town already immortalized by legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, Poker Alice became a fixture at the tables, earning the respect of male gamblers who underestimated her at their peril.

Alice wasn’t shy about defending herself either. She carried a pistol in her purse and wasn’t afraid to use it if a game turned ugly or if drunken cowboys tried to harass her. Tales of her firing warning shots into the air—or directly into the saloon ceiling—became part of her mystique.

Her catchphrase summed up her approach to life:
“Praise the Lord and place your bets.”

More Than Just a Gambler

Poker Alice wasn’t just playing cards for fun. She treated gambling as a profession—a way to secure her independence in a world where women had few economic options. She reportedly earned more than $250,000 over her lifetime from gambling, a staggering sum at the time.

But Alice also had a soft side. Despite her rough-and-tumble persona, she was devoutly religious, refusing to play cards on Sundays no matter how high the stakes. She balanced her love for gambling with her faith, attending church regularly and quoting scripture as easily as she called out bets.

Later in life, she ran her own saloon and brothel in South Dakota, further solidifying her status as a savvy businesswoman. She employed women at fair wages and maintained a strict set of rules in her establishment. While some criticized her for operating a house of ill repute, others admired her for providing a safe, regulated place of work for women who otherwise had few options.

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A Lasting Legacy

Poker Alice’s life was marked by adventure, defiance, and a determination to live by her own rules. She was arrested multiple times for gambling without a license and for running her brothel, but she never spent significant time in jail. Even into her 70s, she was playing poker, spinning tales of the old days, and charming visitors who came to meet the legendary gambler.

She passed away in 1930 at the age of 79, leaving behind a story as colorful as the frontier itself. Today, Poker Alice stands as a symbol of female empowerment in a male-dominated world, a testament to grit, intelligence, and unbreakable independence.

Whether you admire her for her poker skills, her business acumen, or simply her audacity to live life on her own terms, Poker Alice’s name belongs among the greats of the American West.

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A Salute to the High Rollers of the Frontier

Like Poker Alice, the gamblers and risk-takers of the frontier lived for the thrill of the game, always chasing fortune over the horizon. If you’re inspired by the bold spirits of the Wild West, why not channel that same energy into your next coffee break? Discover the rich, dark flavor of our High Roller variety—a tribute to the fearless gamblers who bet big and played hard.

Want to explore more about where this coffee comes from? Visit our Honduras Coffee Beans Hub to learn about the origins, processing methods, and tasting profiles of this robust, flavorful bean.