Is poker a sport?

[el_paon]

International olympic committee recognizes bridge as a sport with its own international federation but not poker. In case it's a sport shall we call ourselves athletes ?

[Evil666]

I think there should be some athlesicsm if it should be considered a sport, 295 pound guys who doesn't exactly pour down gatorade and eat energy bars, isn't very fair to put down besides track and field athletes, cyclists an others that lives of training and stay fit...

IMO darts, snooker, pool, bowling, poker and similar activitys are all games.... not sport!!

[stinkee]

Well, I used to think that NO poker is not a sport, but after looking up the noun SPORT in Webster's online dictionary, I would say YES, without a doubt, it qualifies as a sport (sex is a sport too- hehe), here is the definition:

sport

7 entries found.

Main Entry: sport
Function: noun Date: 15th century
1 a: a source of diversion : recreation b: sexual play c(1): physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2): a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in
2 a: pleasantry, jest b: often mean-spirited jesting : mockery, derision
3 a: something tossed or driven about in or as if in play b: laughingstock
4 a: sportsman b: a person considered with respect to living up to the ideals of sportsmanship <a good sport> <a poor sport> c: a companionable person
5: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue
synonyms see fun

[Buxon10]

Originally Posted by evil666

IMO darts, snooker, pool, bowling, poker and similar activitys are all games.... not sport!!

Agree 100% with you evil.You can start playing those games in 30's or 40's or even later(older) as a pro or active player,but you can't start playing tennis,soccer,etc. just like that.

[terppa72]

poker is indeed a sport, you have to consentrate 100% of the time you play and if you whant to have a drink or two so do it....
i have noticed that if you drink and play poker then you will lose everything....
it´s the same as drinking and drivin... don´t doesn´t go hand in hand

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by el_paon

International olympic committee recognizes bridge as a sport with its own international federation but not poker. In case it's a sport shall we call ourselves athletes ?

As I said poker can be considered a sport, but poker players are not to be considered athletes at all of course,it is a different matter, being an athlete involves physical skills, movement etc. (I play soccer so I know the difference)

[JuniorMontana01]

My opinion is that poker isn't a sport but it says it is:

"Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Some of the physical sports include association football, basketball, water polo, and baseball."

/ Source: Wikipedia.org /

So, if chess is a sport, everything can be a sport. Make sport of posting.

[FlibbleS]

Originally Posted by JuniorMontana01

My opinion is that poker isn't a sport but it says it is:

"Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Some of the physical sports include association football, basketball, water polo, and baseball."

/ Source: Wikipedia.org /

So, if chess is a sport, everything can be a sport. Make sport of posting.

There's no doubt luck plays a major role in Poker, which is why I wouldn't class it as a sport. My definition would be similar to the one given above - 'the competitors activities/actions and that of their opponents are the sole determiner of the outcome with no other outside influences being a factor'.

The above defiintion applies to Chess and I would very much class Chess as a sport (albeit a boring one - yet highly skilled). However with poker, you could give a masterclass display yet come unstuck due to a one or two outer hitting despite the odds being stacked hugely in your favour.

[JuniorMontana01]

However with poker, you could give a masterclass display yet come unstuck due to a one or two outer hitting despite the odds being stacked hugely in your favour.

Luck plays key role in every sport. Miracles happen.

[FlibbleS]

No large element of luck in football, tennis, rugby or golf to name a few. There is a small element, but only rarely will it affect the outcome of the event and it always a direct result of something the player has done whereas in poker it's random luck that cannot be compensated for.

In terms of ratio, I would say in poker it's 80-20 skill to luck, whereas in the above sports in 95-5 skill to luck. That would be my opinion anyway, Im sure alot of people will disagree but I would always class poker as a hobby rather than a sport.