Sassy Single Woman of the Month: Beth Shak

She’s dominating what’s traditionally thought of as “a man’s world.” She’s smart, she’s savvy, she’s a straight shooter, she’s a budding fashionista with a clothing line on the way, and she’s not afraid to kick your butt all over the poker table – in her sexiest stilettos, of course. So just what is it that pro poker player and all-around fabulous, fearless female Beth Shak is missing? Well, she’s got the poker table covered, but a partner at the dinner table? That’s another story. The dissolving of a bad relationship and the quest to meet her perfect match led Beth to make a date with Patti Stanger’s “Millionaire Matchmaker,” an episode which promises to bring fun, fireworks, and everything in between.

“I had just broken up with the worst person I ever dated in my life. Then one day I had Bravo on and I never watch TV, so when I saw a promo for ‘Millionaire Matchmaker,’ something just clicked. I thought – I have to go on that show!” Beth explains. “I had read Patti’s book and really liked it. And I have to say, being on the show was an amazing experience! It is 100% an episode to watch. At the end of the day, I learned a lot from it.”

As a single mother of three, active philanthropist, one to watch on the poker scene (she’s already cashed in several major tournaments, including two World Poker Tour events and two World Series of Poker events), and currently designing a clothing line; like many single women today, Beth has mastered the art of striking a balance between work and play, love and family. And though her schedule is hectic at times, Beth views her full life as an asset. “You need to have your own life and your own identity to have a successful relationship,” she says. “When a woman is independent and brings something of her own to the table, she’s not as needy. I mean, a relationship with a man is important to me, but I’m not going to run after something bad. I’m going to wait for something GOOD. I only date people who understand that my kids are important to me and that I have other things going on in my life.”

So do her keen poker skills help out in the arena of love? Sometimes; that is, when it comes to knowing when to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em, when to walk away, and when to run. “This is where poker does help: You have to always go with your gut instinct,” Beth explains. “If you feel like he’s just not that into you – he’s probably not that into you. Always go with your gut.” But at the same time, “Sometimes I have guys say to me ‘Don’t be a poker player with me!’ But I’m never going to jeopardize something that’s as important as a relationship by bluffing.”

At the end of the day, Beth keeps a sunny outlook on the single life, choosing to keep her faith in love and happy endings. After all, she already has a full (and happy!) house, so the occasional run-in with a Joker isn’t going to cause this fearless female to fold.

“I believe in happy endings 100%,” Beth says. “I’ve had some bad relationships, so I could choose to be jaded, but I don’t. The most important thing in life is to be happy with yourself and your life. Happiness breeds happiness.”

And then, ever the poker player, she adds: “When you know it’s bad, it’s bad. It may be hard to leave, but sometimes it’s better to just cut your losses and walk away.”

Don’t miss Beth’s episode of “Millionaire Matchmaker” – airing tomorrow night at 9/8 CST on Bravo.