The site claims it is simply a reaction to the growing number of women playing poker but ruffled men have called for 'men-only tables' as well as icons of naked women.

The new women's table is set to feature pink baize while the ladies can enjoy disco balls and a virtual bar where players can order Sex in the City-style cocktails. When registering, women will be offered the choice of playing at the single-sex table or the normal tables.

The gender segregation has upset some regular male players, with one PacificPoker stalwart threatening to start a male suffragists' movement and chain himself to a set of virtual railings.

However, 888's marketing director Matt Robinson has denied that the tables will be divisive. 'This is not sexist, was not devised to cause offence and was not our idea,' he asserts. 'We did a customer survey, and these were the results. It is what our customers want,' Robinson told InsideEdge.

When asked if he could stop men looking or even playing at the table, Robinson observed: 'You are never going to be able to stop men looking at women.'