Is poker a sport?

chrisslabaugh · 06-22-2009, 08:54 PM

If NASCAR is a sport, poker is a sport.

Miller · 06-22-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperiencedRookie

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?

here is fine, just thought the old thread would be interesting as well.

Miller · 06-22-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisslabaugh

If NASCAR is a sport, poker is a sport.

ahhh hell, were taking this thread down that path are we???

German CTL · 06-22-2009, 09:03 PM

Whats te difference between a game like Wheel of Fortune and a game of poker???
The size of the field? Anything else...

ExperiencedRookie · 06-22-2009, 09:03 PM

I want to keep myself as open minded as possible with this because the argument against poker being a sport really intrigues me and I would like to hear it out to the fullest without any finger pointing.

bodey24 · 06-22-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisslabaugh

If NASCAR is a sport, poker is a sport.

I agree!

ExperiencedRookie · 06-23-2009, 01:45 AM

I've just read the older forum on this topic, and it seems that this thread immediately went down the same road.

Looks like Nascar and poker get grouped into the "is it or isn't it" group.

Before I speak to the relevance of poker as a sport, I'll dig into the NASCAR bit and then leave it alone. Nascar is 100% a sport. There are more athletes at every race weekend than there are at any football game. Not only do I consider the drivers athletes, but take a look at the pit crews. These guys bust their butts all week long in the gym and at practice to prepare for what they need to do on Sundays.

That's all I'm going to say on Nascar's behalf because, frankly, anyone who says that Nascar is not a sport is merely being ignorant because of their personal distaste.

On to poker now.

This one is a little more gray. Are poker players athletes? Hell no! I play about 25 hours of poker a week. It is part of my yearly income, so I consider myself semi-pro. I am NOT an athlete.

I am however a fierce competitor and so are many of my peers. When I play this "game" I'm not playing for fun, or for the thrill of gambling. I'm playing to win. I'm playing to be the best that I can be. I'm playing to pay my bills. These are all the same reasons that a football players puts on his pads on Sundays.

Now someone might argue that anyone who goes to work can think of their job in this same fashion. I suppose that's possible. Some working environments might be more competitive than others. In the 14 short years that I have been employed doing various jobs I've never experienced any level of competition that rivals the poker table.

It all comes back to this though. Is the level of competition in poker enough to make it a sport? Must the participants be athletes to call the activity a sport? I don't think so. I wouldn't call a bowler, fisherman, or hunter an athlete, yet those are sports.

When you go into a sporting goods store you'll find all the following items : fishing poles, lures, rifles, camo, bowling balls, and poker chips.

So my completely biased opinion is yes, poker is a sport.

Miller · 06-23-2009, 04:55 AM

IMO it comes down to do you differentiate between competitions and sports? If you do, you tend to find a line between the two when Poker is concerned. If you do not, and find all competitions to be sports, then Poker would definitely fall under this.

Remote Controller · 06-23-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisslabaugh

If NASCAR is a sport, poker is a sport.

This is not even close to the truth. A card game is a passtime, now you can stretch it into a JOB, when you take into account that they do it for a living. NASCAR takes strength, stamina, and agility, not to mention the one thing a card game might have mental toughness and the ability to stay alert.

Mike · 06-23-2009, 07:13 AM

If Poker is a sport, then roulette, slot machines, craps, and bingo are sports.

Not a sport.

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

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06-22-2009, 08:54 PM	Top #11
chrisslabaugh Let's Be Friends Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Under the Golden Dome Posts: 4,474	If NASCAR is a sport, poker is a sport.

06-22-2009, 09:03 PM	Top #14
German CTL Circle City Outlaw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,424	Whats te difference between a game like Wheel of Fortune and a game of poker??? The size of the field? Anything else...

06-22-2009, 09:03 PM	Top #15
ExperiencedRookie Fantasy Football Fan Join Date: May 2008 Location: In bed until August Posts: 3,218	I want to keep myself as open minded as possible with this because the argument against poker being a sport really intrigues me and I would like to hear it out to the fullest without any finger pointing.

06-23-2009, 01:45 AM	Top #17
ExperiencedRookie Fantasy Football Fan Join Date: May 2008 Location: In bed until August Posts: 3,218	I've just read the older forum on this topic, and it seems that this thread immediately went down the same road. Looks like Nascar and poker get grouped into the "is it or isn't it" group. Before I speak to the relevance of poker as a sport, I'll dig into the NASCAR bit and then leave it alone. Nascar is 100% a sport. There are more athletes at every race weekend than there are at any football game. Not only do I consider the drivers athletes, but take a look at the pit crews. These guys bust their butts all week long in the gym and at practice to prepare for what they need to do on Sundays. That's all I'm going to say on Nascar's behalf because, frankly, anyone who says that Nascar is not a sport is merely being ignorant because of their personal distaste. On to poker now. This one is a little more gray. Are poker players athletes? Hell no! I play about 25 hours of poker a week. It is part of my yearly income, so I consider myself semi-pro. I am NOT an athlete. I am however a fierce competitor and so are many of my peers. When I play this "game" I'm not playing for fun, or for the thrill of gambling. I'm playing to win. I'm playing to be the best that I can be. I'm playing to pay my bills. These are all the same reasons that a football players puts on his pads on Sundays. Now someone might argue that anyone who goes to work can think of their job in this same fashion. I suppose that's possible. Some working environments might be more competitive than others. In the 14 short years that I have been employed doing various jobs I've never experienced any level of competition that rivals the poker table. It all comes back to this though. Is the level of competition in poker enough to make it a sport? Must the participants be athletes to call the activity a sport? I don't think so. I wouldn't call a bowler, fisherman, or hunter an athlete, yet those are sports. When you go into a sporting goods store you'll find all the following items : fishing poles, lures, rifles, camo, bowling balls, and poker chips. So my completely biased opinion is yes, poker is a sport.

06-23-2009, 04:55 AM	Top #18
Miller "Child, please." Admin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 25,381	IMO it comes down to do you differentiate between competitions and sports? If you do, you tend to find a line between the two when Poker is concerned. If you do not, and find all competitions to be sports, then Poker would definitely fall under this.

06-23-2009, 07:13 AM	Top #20
Mike OU SUCKS Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In A Freaking Freightliner Posts: 32,969	If Poker is a sport, then roulette, slot machines, craps, and bingo are sports. Not a sport.