Is poker a sport?

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » July 6, 2005, 3:54 am

I wanted to start a poker discussion, seeing as how the world series is in high gear, but is this the right forum?

Sumdaor · Post by **Sumdaor** » July 6, 2005, 4:16 am

I don't know if its a sport, but it is a competive game so it fits the forum.

You can't predict anyone who would make it to the final table. The sheer amount of online qualifers and first timers make it a crabshoot for any pro to make it to the money, not to say the final table. With that disclaimer my favorites this year are: Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, and Jennifer Harmon.

I do predict a online qualifer will win carrying on the internet qualifer streak for another year. The last 2 years having online qualifer winners is what has caused the huge explosion in poker(esp online poker).

Tegellan · Post by **Tegellan** » July 6, 2005, 6:24 am

A sport to me means physical exertion, poker hardly has that. It's a game though and since it is competitive it still fits this forum imho.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 6, 2005, 9:06 am

Poker is no more a sport than Monopoly is.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » July 6, 2005, 11:40 am

its a game, not a sport

but i dont see why you cant start threads about it in this forum. traffic isnt especially heavy (2-3 active threads a day)

miir · Post by **miir** » July 6, 2005, 12:07 pm

Haha, poker a sport?

sport:

Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively

I don't know if its a sport, but it is a competive game so it fits the forum.

Counterstrike is a competative game, does it fit the forum?

I'm confounded at how people can sit on their asses and enjoy watching other people play poker. I've seen it on some of the sports channels and watched it out of curiosity and honestly found it about as exciting as eXtreem! basket weaving.

Sumdaor · Post by **Sumdaor** » July 6, 2005, 12:54 pm

I'm confounded at how people can sit on their asses and enjoy watching other people play poker. I've seen it on some of the sports channels and watched it out of curiosity and honestly found it about as exciting as eXtreem! basket weaving.

If you played poker maybe you would find it exciting, well that maybe a stretch enjoyable to watch in the least. My friends and I will watch poker all day if you let us. Its like any other game, if you play it you can recognize the subtles of the game. Its also one of the only games where you can play against a pro and possibly beat him on any given day if your lucky.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 6, 2005, 12:54 pm

Counterstrike is a video game, and has its own specialized forum.

Poker is not exactly a sport, but this is as appropriate a forum as any for discussion about it. Carry on.

miir · Post by **miir** » July 6, 2005, 1:00 pm

Sumdaor wrote:If you played poker maybe you would find it exciting, well that maybe a stretch enjoyable to watch in the least.

I enjoy playing poker but watching it on TV is pretty mindnumbing, in my opinion.

I suppose you could learn a thing or two from the professionals but the inane banter from the commentators drove me batshit insane.

Poker is not exactly a sport

Oh come on, poker is not a sport by any definition.
Ballroom dancing is more of a sport than poker.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 6, 2005, 1:06 pm

I wasn't arguing that it was a sport, read the rest of that sentence.

how's this, instead:

While it doesn't fit every aspect of the definition of a sport (it does fit some, as does ballroom dancing), the Sports forum is the most appropriate forum for it (and for ballroom dancing).

I don't come down to where you work and slap the dick out of your mouth (the eq2 forum), so I'd appreciate the same courtesy in my forum!

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » July 6, 2005, 1:09 pm

I really like watching poker on TV. I don't really know why, I just find it very compelling. Lots of drama and big swings in the game and important moments when things must go one way or the other.

miir · Post by **miir** » July 6, 2005, 1:21 pm

Bah, I thought that by putting a

(laughing) at the end, you'd know I was just yankin your chain.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 6, 2005, 1:23 pm

Yeah, I didn't actually take offense.

I just like the "slap the dick out of your mouth" line.

I was playing along!

miir · Post by **miir** » July 6, 2005, 1:25 pm

Shenanigans!

means your make hurt my feeling!

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » July 6, 2005, 2:34 pm

Sumdaor wrote:I don't know if its a sport, but it is a competive game so it fits the forum.

You can't predict anyone who would make it to the final table. The sheer amount of online qualifers and first timers make it a crabshoot for any pro to make it to the money, not to say the final table. With that disclaimer my favorites this year are: Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, and Jennifer Harmon.

I do predict a online qualifer will win carrying on the internet qualifer streak for another year. The last 2 years having online qualifer winners is what has caused the huge explosion in poker(esp online poker).

I agree that the sheer number of online qualifiers will guarantee them at least half the spots at the final table. But this does not change the fact that online poker is a charade. A smart poker player understands that any environment where you cannot see your opponents, the dealer, and most importantly the deck is a dangerous situation to put yourself (or your bankroll) in. While online poker can teach you a lot about the game, it is a far cry from the real thing, and in my opinion, success or failure online does not accurately represent your proficiency in the game.

That being said, I also have a few favorite pros. My only hope is that an actual pro wins the thing this year instead of the last two retarded fucks who played... questionably at best at the final table the last two years and got extremely lucky.

Sumdaor · Post by **Sumdaor** » July 6, 2005, 2:53 pm

A smart poker player understands that any environment where you cannot see your opponents, the dealer, and most importantly the deck is a dangerous situation to put yourself (or your bankroll) in. While online poker can teach you a lot about the game, it is a far cry from the real thing, and in my opinion, success or failure online does not accurately represent your proficiency in the game.

I agree with not be able to see the other players is a huge disadvantage. OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of players, esp weaker players are going to bet what they have. They don't play a-lot of position, or bluff at high cards, flush's, or straights. My friends and I play at a certain poker site and we always say the worse hand always wins on that website. I don't think its the site rigging it though, but it does seem to happen far more online. That maybe because ppl are more likely to call with bad hands. I am not really sure.

My only hope is that an actual pro wins the thing this year instead of the last two retarded fucks who played... questionably at best at the final table the last two years and got extremely lucky.

I think Moneymaker is decent, and the more skilled out of him and Raymer. He did go head to head with a legit pro and not a wet behind the ears rookie like Raymer did. The bluff Moneymaker put on Fahra heads up was gutsy move most pro's may not be able to pull off. He also finished third? In the WPT event that Phil Gordon won. In one who has a repeat to the final table of a event has more skill then the average guy. I do agree on Raymer he is a dumbass who won't see another final table.

Let me ask you a question Xyun, this is a debate we have had for awhile now. What is more impressive, Doyle Brunson winning back to back championships in 71-72 or Dan Harrington making it to the final table the last 2 years battling a field of thousands?

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » July 6, 2005, 3:43 pm

Dan Harrington no question. No disrespect to Doyle or his accomplishments, but the game today is far more advanced and I'd say much much harder to get to where Harrington got. It's similar to what the Patriots have done as compared to the previous dynasties in football, simply put they (he) overcame much greater odds.

Also, check out the link in my sig. I outline the motive behind online sites rigging their software.

Sumdaor · Post by **Sumdaor** » July 6, 2005, 3:53 pm

Hmmm.... Thats a interesting a theory. You could test it over the long run, using the probabilites of certain hands "sucking out". I am not a math wiz, but a large enough sample of certain situations would let you know. In most cases you never see the cards. It would take OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of playing to get large enough sample to prove that one way or the other. I don't disagree with you on it, I have seen way to many bad beats on poker stars(thats where I play).

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » July 6, 2005, 4:04 pm

Unfortunately testing the theory means donating money to stars, a catch 22 of sorts. The best way to test it in my opinion is to play heads up with both people in cahoots, recording each hand and playing each hand to the river. I might try this out with a friend of mine if/when I get the time and the inclination.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 6, 2005, 4:21 pm

This is as good a forum as any unless Strip Poker is discussed...then it goes to NWS! Poker could be considered an addiction in the same way something like EverQuest might be considered an addiction.

Then again, I think I argued that Chess was a sport awhile back! I wonder how Bobby Fisher would do at Poker.

Thess · Post by **Thess** » July 6, 2005, 4:36 pm

Poker is on espn so that means it's a sport!

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » July 6, 2005, 6:03 pm

Not a sport. It is a game with a sport-like following.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » July 7, 2005, 11:56 am

The poker crap should definitely never be on ESPN.....nor should the Scrabble World Championships. I predict that at some point poker will have its own channel.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 7, 2005, 2:33 pm

Spelling Bee's > Poker

On ESPN