Is poker a SPORT??????

[wsopin07]

yes or no and why??

[RED-DOG]

Is that updated version of wsopin05?

I dont think poker is a sport, I think things that rely on physical ability and skill are sports, but I think a lot of the atributes of a good poker player are needed to be a top sportsperson, ie, dedication, mental toughness, self discipline, a single minded will to win, etc, by the same token I think people who are successfull in other walks of life have a lot of what it takes to be good at poker, to be a really great poker player you need something else as well

unfortunately I dont think anyone knows what that is

[snoopy1239]

I think it definitely depends on whether or not you deem poker to be an activity that involves physical exhertion.

Tough 1. sometimes I wonder cos I'm often exhausted after a long comp, but perhaps that is merely mental exhertion.

Just 1 other querie. Shouldn't a sport be governed by a standard and universally accepted set of rules, something that the game of poker currently lacks?

[Maroon]

There are some sports that require physical skill without physical exertion like snooker, darts and archery.  The most physical skills I can think of in poker is controlling how you put your chips in or act reverse tells.  I wouldn't have said it is a sport but maybe it is.

[wsopin07]

Is that updated version of wsopin05?


Yes it is, Had to get it FAST before DC got it

[jbsc7769]

I happen to think that although it is not a sport in the true definition of the word (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sport). it takes many of the attributes of it. The key one being "competition". It is the competitive side of things that attracts many people to sports, myself included. It is also a genuine reason why I enjoy poker. It was actually quite funny, during a converstaion the other day, I was asked if I did other forms of gambling. It really had not struck me that poker was gambling!! it just doesn't feel like it. A very different experience from, for example, playing the fruit machines etc

[WSOPin10]

Is that updated version of wsopin05?


Yes it is, Had to get it FAST before DC got it

as i am planning on playing and winning my first wsop in 2010 i am thinking ahead and nicking the name now before you do,
hopefully i might just get a passport in time

[snoopy1239]

I can just see it now.

London 2012.

Snoopy takes the gold medal for Olympic poker.

 

[redsimon]

Re: Olympics 2012

Poker as a team sport? I vote Greece to win the first prize.... (Prepares for a few comments from Galaites) 

[thediceman]

Is poker a sport.............NO.

Why, simiply because the game requires each person who participates to pay an entry stake therefore it has to be defined as a form of gambling. I know of no sport that requires you to pay an entry fee to compete.

I do however not see poker as 100% pure gambling such as the lottery as a skilled player over the longterm has an advantage hence why so many player can make a living from the game. I prefer to see poker as intellectual gambling just like stocks and shares (my other profitable interest).

[TightEnd]

I dont think poker is a sport, I think things that rely on physical ability and skill are sports, but I think a lot of the atributes of a good poker player are needed to be a top sportsperson, ie, dedication, mental toughness, self discipline, a single minded will to win, etc,

To take Red-Dog's point a little further, I always found it interesting that many sports people had relative success in televised ( whether limited to "celebrities" or not) poker.

In no particular order

Jimmy White (poker million)
Steve Davis
Matthew Stevens (party poker open)
Stephen Hendry
Phil Taylor
Cascarino
Sheringham

whilst I would accept that in Jimmy White's case this is down to a lifetime of punting and gambling, in general I think Red-Dog's point above is apt

Or they are all lucky fishes who can afford to take a few more risks in what are essentially "freerolls" for them due to being put into the events by Barry Hearn!!!!

[Maroon]

Is poker a sport.............NO.

Why, simiply because the game requires each person who participates to pay an entry stake therefore it has to be defined as a form of gambling. I know of no sport that requires you to pay an entry fee to compete.

There are plenty of sports that also require you to pay an entry fee to participate.  Karate/Tae Kwon-Do competitions etc and some darts tournaments.

[henrik777]

Is poker a sport.............NO.

Why, simiply because the game requires each person who participates to pay an entry stake therefore it has to be defined as a form of gambling. I know of no sport that requires you to pay an entry fee to compete.

There are plenty of sports that also require you to pay an entry fee to participate. Karate/Tae Kwon-Do competitions etc and some darts tournaments.

Golf requires an entry fee for most events and for definite the open championship.

Sandy

[AdamM]

plus don't golfers pay to enter the open? That's no argument one way or the other.

for me a sport is something comptetive and skillful. It's piting your wits against others to prove yourself better than the field (on that day only, don't go there again) as more money comes into the game from sponsors and organisors it'll be harder to argue against it being a sport.

Whether it is a sport or not, we ought to behave like a sport. governing body, standard rules, etc.

[Splash]

After careful study of the dictionary definition, it is clear that the physical aspect means that poker is denied being a sport.   Therefore I have the following proposal:

1:  All card room chairs to be immediately replaced with exercise bikes.

2: At the start of the rebuy period all players must start to peddle furiously while still playing their hands.

3:  At the end of the rebuy period bonus chips are awarded to those players who have peddled the most miles and lost the most pounds.

POKER could then proudly call its self a sport!!!!


Maybe we could get this included in Yogis standard rules? Wadda think?