Is poker a sport?

ExperiencedRookie · 06-22-2009, 08:16 PM

Hey Outlaws. This is something I've been thinking about for sometime.

As a semi-pro poker player, I understand how grueling it can be. I really need to be on my game all the time at the table. Any of you who have played poker I'm sure are aware of how tough the game can be at times.

I'm curious to get a discussion going here on everyone's thoughts on poker.

Can it be considered a sport? You can find poker on ESPN a lot in the past few years. Does that qualify it to be a sport? What seperates game from sport?

German CTL · 06-22-2009, 08:27 PM

To me its a game but I'd be interested to hear the reasoning behind considering it a sport...

chrisslabaugh · 06-22-2009, 08:28 PM

stamina

WesDawg · 06-22-2009, 08:36 PM

Typical Monopoly game lasts way longer than a WSoP episode.

SO not a sport.

Very fun and challenging to succeed at, but SO not a sport.

chrisslabaugh · 06-22-2009, 08:37 PM

Lol. Episodes are cut way down. The main event takes over a week to play out with usually 12-13 hours of playing a day.

WesDawg · 06-22-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisslabaugh

Lol. Episodes are cut way down. The main event takes over a week to play out with usually 12-13 hours of playing a day.

Like I said.. same as Monopoly.. counting smoke breaks. LOL

German CTL · 06-22-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisslabaugh

Lol. Episodes are cut way down. The main event takes over a week to play out with usually 12-13 hours of playing a day.

and...

Miller · 06-22-2009, 08:50 PM

had an older debate on this, seems to come up from time to time. If you want to see some older opinions here is the thread:
Do you consider poker a sport?

ExperiencedRookie · 06-22-2009, 08:53 PM

I suppose we need to define sport to find out if something is one or not.

Here are the top 3 results from Dictionary.com

1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.
2. a particular form of this, esp. in the out of doors.
3. diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime.

We will of course be using definition #1, as that is the definition that best describes the sports we all love.

The word athletic in the definition certainly sets poker back quite a bit. Many of the greatest poker players in the world are anything but athletes. Then again, there are some who keep themselves in excellent physical considtion because of the length of sessions that need to be played at times.

Then again, in the definition it says that sport is an activity requiring skill OR physical prowess. Hunting, fishing, and bowling are all given as examples. I believe that poker can also fall into this category. It is a highly competitive skill based activity.

ExperiencedRookie · 06-22-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

had an older debate on this, seems to come up from time to time. If you want to see some older opinions here is the thread:
Do you consider poker a sport?

Thanks Miller. I'd like to re-open the debate to interject my opinions as well. Would it be better here or on the other thread?

View Poll Results: Is poker a sport?
Yes	4	21.05%
No	15	78.95%
Voters: 19. This poll is closed

06-22-2009, 08:16 PM	Top #1
ExperiencedRookie Fantasy Football Fan Join Date: May 2008 Location: In bed until August Posts: 3,241	Is poker a sport? Hey Outlaws. This is something I've been thinking about for sometime. As a semi-pro poker player, I understand how grueling it can be. I really need to be on my game all the time at the table. Any of you who have played poker I'm sure are aware of how tough the game can be at times. I'm curious to get a discussion going here on everyone's thoughts on poker. Can it be considered a sport? You can find poker on ESPN a lot in the past few years. Does that qualify it to be a sport? What seperates game from sport?

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06-22-2009, 08:27 PM	Top #2
German CTL Circle City Outlaw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,528	To me its a game but I'd be interested to hear the reasoning behind considering it a sport...

06-22-2009, 08:28 PM	Top #3
chrisslabaugh Truth Dealer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Under the Golden Dome Posts: 5,288	stamina

06-22-2009, 08:36 PM	Top #4
WesDawg 'Burghapologist Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Rock AFB, AR Posts: 3,417	Typical Monopoly game lasts way longer than a WSoP episode. SO not a sport. Very fun and challenging to succeed at, but SO not a sport.

06-22-2009, 08:37 PM	Top #5
chrisslabaugh Truth Dealer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Under the Golden Dome Posts: 5,288	Lol. Episodes are cut way down. The main event takes over a week to play out with usually 12-13 hours of playing a day.

06-22-2009, 08:50 PM	Top #8
Miller "Child, please." Admin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 27,027	had an older debate on this, seems to come up from time to time. If you want to see some older opinions here is the thread: Do you consider poker a sport?

06-22-2009, 08:53 PM	Top #9
ExperiencedRookie Fantasy Football Fan Join Date: May 2008 Location: In bed until August Posts: 3,241	I suppose we need to define sport to find out if something is one or not. Here are the top 3 results from Dictionary.com 1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc. 2. a particular form of this, esp. in the out of doors. 3. diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime. We will of course be using definition #1, as that is the definition that best describes the sports we all love. The word athletic in the definition certainly sets poker back quite a bit. Many of the greatest poker players in the world are anything but athletes. Then again, there are some who keep themselves in excellent physical considtion because of the length of sessions that need to be played at times. Then again, in the definition it says that sport is an activity requiring skill OR physical prowess. Hunting, fishing, and bowling are all given as examples. I believe that poker can also fall into this category. It is a highly competitive skill based activity.