Poker and Gambling.

[MediaBLITZ]

It seems most are saying if there is any element of chance then it is gambling, as if that is the sole criteria.
Now I cannot think of anything you could wager on, even with a friend as a side bet, that would not involve chance, HOWEVER, it seems to me the act of wagering itself is what constitutes gambling. Placing a bet, even on a "sure thing" is still gambling, isn't it?

 

[tetragorod]

Everyone is the creator of one's own fate Don't let your mind kill your heart and soul.

 

[eberetta1]

If money is involved, it is gambling. The only grey area in my mind would be a person who only plays poker freerolls and withdraws their winnings, never playing ring games or tournaments requiring a buy in or not taking the winnings and using it in the casino or the sportsbook. How many people do you know like that?

 

[Lubzhen]

I think it depends on the individual. If the person is serious about poker and improve their game, then poker is a game of skill. If people treat poker as entertainment, wants to have a good time, then poker is gambling.

 

[Abramo Della Luce]

Is the owner of a casino a "gambler" on the basis that they allow other players to compete against them on games like roulette and blackjack?

Is a stock market trader a "gambler" on the basis that they engage in risky investments with no guarantee of a return?

A professional poker player is no more of a gambler than the other two people described above.

I would even take it further.
Starting any business costs money, and the outcome is not completely in their hands and should be seen as gambling as well.
Most sports on high level can be seen as gambling. The other day I was looking into joining an iron man triathlon, but found the price to join very high. So here again you have to pay money to join, without knowing 100% what the outcome is going to be, so it should be classified as gambling.
Of course you can say, that the person who has the best training, best preparation, etc. has a much bigger chance to win, but the same goes for poker.
This is following most peoples idea of gambling (wagering money without a sure outcome), but I wouldn't classify it as gambling from the moment skill becomes an important factor.

For an amateur or recreational poker player, it is gambling, because they usually lack training and skills. There is a big chance that on the long term they will be losing.

 

[sergey ptz]

I think any game for money is gambling.

 

[Sum420gt]

It is gambling but look how many players routinely make it to the final table at the wsop. Surely it would be statistically impossible for these players to do so well if it wasnt for the fact it is as much of a game of skill as it is gambling!

 

[doctor zver]

Any gamble if to play for money.

 

[robertocoelho]

I do not consider poker as a game of chance, it depends not only on their cards to succeed, have all a strategy to be a winner, not only depending on luck.

 

[Two6JJ]

Anytime you risk a wager of any kind it is gambling. Poker has the advantage of allowing skill to help offset the variance of the cards but is a gambler's game at it's core.

 

[HAMC81]

Anytime you risk a wager of any kind it is gambling. Poker has the advantage of allowing skill to help offset the variance of the cards but is a gambler's game at it's core.

+1

The fact that Moneymaker won the WSOP... especially his HU against Farha... is gambling folks

 

[garouy85]

Is poker is not gambling??)

 

[andreii955]

yes it is a gamble, but not many people have won, a study shows that only 3 of 10 players return, the rest are insolvent so it's gambling.
I play poker for pleasure, not making much money but we do not invest, still think you should play for pleasure, maybe in two, three years we have to get into the poker world, until then for funny

 

[wanted2090]

I would say 50% gambling because luck plays and important role in poker.. you can lose with AA against 7/2.. The other 50% I would say its also skill.. a good poker player can win the game multiple times (poker pros with multiple braclets -> they won a tournament multiple times! had nothing to do with gamble but skill)

 

[mikikunc]

Poker is not gambling.
For me it is logical game of luck
Needed luck but strategy is primarily.

 

[Turn7]

Well, gambling is quite the same as playing poker. You play with real money! Of course someone who is playing the whole day in a gaming hall is quite a gambler. In the end, gambling is still a bit negative...

 

[OzExorcist]

Wagering money on an event with an uncertain outcome is gambling. Poker is a game where you do exactly that, so it's gambling.

People need to calm down about this IMO - admitting that poker is gambling doesn't automatically mean that there's no skill to it or you're a bad person for participating in it or anything.

 

[Delenia]

It is not gambling if you are playing freerolls because you don't have anything to lose. If you wager something (like money) that you have a chance of losing, then it is gambling.

Simple Definition of gamble
: to play a game in which you can win or lose money or possessions : to bet money or other valuable things
: to risk losing (an amount of money) in a game or bet
: to risk losing (something valuable or important) in order to do or achieve something
Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

 

[miric007]

I consider poker gambling because they can make money or lose it, I think that's the definition of gambling.

 

[viratsingh]

Poker is not gambling because what separates the winners from the losers is skill. Poor poker players lose over the long run while skilled poker players win over the long run.. They are professionals because they are extremely skilled at poker... Loosers start calling poker gambling when the loose ...

 

[Killean]

I don't consider it gambling in the same way that just about any other game isn't considered gambling when skill is a factor.


Baseball is a game where you're a success if you hit the ball 30% of the time. The best teams win about 2/3rds of their games. Luck is a factor, but skill is a larger factor over time.


It's the same with poker. Gambling is more for when skill is not a factor or you have no control over the outcome, like sports betting. Poker, you can influence the outcome through your play.

 

[Mantones]

It`s the most mind-involved gambling game

 

[pescaofish]

Gambling by far. our only hope is to use bankroll management to keep some control on losses.

 

[iosif18]

Hi friend

Poker some times is related with gambling .I have played poker for 7 years and i saw a lot of people gambling.If you call 50 $ for one card its gabling not poker.Good luck for you !

 

[wagon596]

it's a gamble for sure, but also it's a hobby that I can possibility make some money at a "hobby". And we all know almost all hobbies cost money.