Is poker a sport?

Mike · 06-23-2009, 06:54 PM

I think it must require physical endurance or physical ability, some sort of athleticism.

I include NASCAR as a support because the above fits. I can't speak for the actual NASCAR racers, because I obviously never did that, but I do have brief experience on a dirt track and you work your ass off in those cars.

I barely include Golf, but include it, because there is physical ability involved. An out of shape man who loves beer (me or John Daly) can play the game, but to compete at the top, you gotta be in better shape.

Poker doesn't freaking matter. It is as much of a sport as the game of Risk, or D&D, or a serious competition of Tecmo Bowl (yes, I have done this). All require mental ability, but not physical ability.

ExperiencedRookie · 06-23-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I think it must require physical endurance or physical ability, some sort of athleticism.

I include NASCAR as a support because the above fits. I can't speak for the actual NASCAR racers, because I obviously never did that, but I do have brief experience on a dirt track and you work your ass off in those cars.

I barely include Golf, but include it, because there is physical ability involved. An out of shape man who loves beer (me or John Daly) can play the game, but to compete at the top, you gotta be in better shape.

Poker doesn't freaking matter. It is as much of a sport as the game of Risk, or D&D, or a serious competition of Tecmo Bowl (yes, I have done this). All require mental ability, but not physical ability.

Thanks for giving your definition of sport with your argument Mike.

Sport needs to be a physical activity. Also, thank you for giving Nascar their due. It is a physical activity, making it a sport.

As far as poker being on the same level as risk, D&D or Tecmo Bowl, I respectfully disagree. The same psychological things cannot be done in those games as can be done in poker.

WesDawg · 06-23-2009, 09:34 PM

Anything that can be done while in a bar/house party trashed out of your gourd would constitute a game, pastime, or maybe even a dare, but it's a small stretch to call it a sport.

This would include, but is not limited to: Poker (or any card game), Darts, Pool, Karaoke, Quarters, Line Dancing, Bingo, Slots, Beer Pong (although fun), Shuffleboard, Arcade Games, Making it Rain, Gunplay or "Cow Tipping" (won't explain that one here.)

I've also been personally torn on the status of Fishing, Golf, and Bowling because there's almost always alcohol involved with those, as well. I can't go into Olympic "Sports" because they usually do a decent job of purging the stupid ones after a couple go-rounds.

WesDawg · 06-23-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperiencedRookie

As far as poker being on the same level as risk, D&D or Tecmo Bowl, I respectfully disagree. The same psychological things cannot be done in those games as can be done in poker.

You wouldn't say that if you ever watched me defend Kamchatka from an Alaskan raid with one piece...

ExperiencedRookie · 06-24-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesDawg

Anything that can be done while in a bar/house party trashed out of your gourd would constitute a game, pastime, or maybe even a dare, but it's a small stretch to call it a sport.

Although it's not being done at a house party, I've played baseball pretty smashed in the past.

Runnik's Hambones · 06-24-2009, 05:34 AM

Since I'm hoping into this late, gunna say I have not read all the pages here. I do not consider Poker a sport, however I can understand if someone does. Much like it was joked earlier, I don't like NASCAR but people consider it a sport. I respect people that are good at it, like anything people are good at.

ExperiencedRookie · 06-24-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runnik's Hambones

Since I'm hoping into this late, gunna say I have not read all the pages here. I do not consider Poker a sport, however I can understand if someone does. Much like it was joked earlier, I don't like NASCAR but people consider it a sport. I respect people that are good at it, like anything people are good at.

RH, you're such a liberal pig!!!

Don't be afraid to give a strong opinion and piss someone off.

Remote Controller · 06-24-2009, 10:56 AM

12-4 is a pretty solid result.

ExperiencedRookie · 06-24-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remote Controller

12-4 is a pretty solid result.

Yeah that pretty much settles it, and even though I'm biased to the game, I have to agree.

To be a sport, the participants must be athletes. Poker players are not athletes.

Case closed for me.

Jetdoc · 06-24-2009, 12:04 PM

Here's something that I've debated over way too many beers.

A sport is a competition that:

1. Has an objective, impartial system for determining who wins; AND
2. Involves a high degree of aerobic activity with the legs.

Based on this definition, here's what I would qualify as sports:

1. Football
2. Basketball
3. Baseball
4. Soccer
5. Tennis
6. Swimming
7. Bicycling
8. Almost all track and field events.

Based on this definition, here's what I would say are NOT sports:

1. Poker
2. Golf
3. Billiards
4. NASCAR
5. Figure skating/gymnastics
6. Weightlifting
7. Table tennis

The most difficulty I have with this definition is Boxing. If a knockout isn't landed, the scoring system is not objective/impartial, as it requires an opinion to determine who wins. To me, that is probably a borderline sport.

When commenting on this, please remember that just because you are an athelete doesn't mean that the competition that you are involved in is 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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06-23-2009, 06:54 PM	Top #51
Mike OU SUCKS Admin Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In A Freaking Freightliner Posts: 33,033	I think it must require physical endurance or physical ability, some sort of athleticism. I include NASCAR as a support because the above fits. I can't speak for the actual NASCAR racers, because I obviously never did that, but I do have brief experience on a dirt track and you work your ass off in those cars. I barely include Golf, but include it, because there is physical ability involved. An out of shape man who loves beer (me or John Daly) can play the game, but to compete at the top, you gotta be in better shape. Poker doesn't freaking matter. It is as much of a sport as the game of Risk, or D&D, or a serious competition of Tecmo Bowl (yes, I have done this). All require mental ability, but not physical ability.

06-23-2009, 09:34 PM	Top #53
WesDawg 'Burghapologist Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Rock AFB, AR Posts: 3,416	Anything that can be done while in a bar/house party trashed out of your gourd would constitute a game, pastime, or maybe even a dare, but it's a small stretch to call it a sport. This would include, but is not limited to: Poker (or any card game), Darts, Pool, Karaoke, Quarters, Line Dancing, Bingo, Slots, Beer Pong (although fun), Shuffleboard, Arcade Games, Making it Rain, Gunplay or "Cow Tipping" (won't explain that one here.) I've also been personally torn on the status of Fishing, Golf, and Bowling because there's almost always alcohol involved with those, as well. I can't go into Olympic "Sports" because they usually do a decent job of purging the stupid ones after a couple go-rounds.

06-24-2009, 05:34 AM	Top #56
Runnik's Hambones Fantasy Football Fan Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,655	Since I'm hoping into this late, gunna say I have not read all the pages here. I do not consider Poker a sport, however I can understand if someone does. Much like it was joked earlier, I don't like NASCAR but people consider it a sport. I respect people that are good at it, like anything people are good at.

06-24-2009, 10:56 AM	Top #58
Remote Controller Yeah.......That's me! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Top of the Texas Panhandle Posts: 11,350	12-4 is a pretty solid result.

06-24-2009, 12:04 PM	Top #60
Jetdoc Fantasy Football Fan Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 120	Here's something that I've debated over way too many beers. A sport is a competition that: 1. Has an objective, impartial system for determining who wins; AND 2. Involves a high degree of aerobic activity with the legs. Based on this definition, here's what I would qualify as sports: 1. Football 2. Basketball 3. Baseball 4. Soccer 5. Tennis 6. Swimming 7. Bicycling 8. Almost all track and field events. Based on this definition, here's what I would say are NOT sports: 1. Poker 2. Golf 3. Billiards 4. NASCAR 5. Figure skating/gymnastics 6. Weightlifting 7. Table tennis The most difficulty I have with this definition is Boxing. If a knockout isn't landed, the scoring system is not objective/impartial, as it requires an opinion to determine who wins. To me, that is probably a borderline sport. When commenting on this, please remember that just because you are an athelete doesn't mean that the competition that you are involved in is a sport.