It's not a sport. I don't understand why people keep trying to get it recognized as one. I have never sweated at the poker table because of physically exhaustion. My legs and lungs have never burned because I have run so much. We sit. It's not a sport. That doesn't make it any less of a great game. The game is good on its own. It doesn't have to be a sport. I have played sports which I'm sure 90% of us have. There is a big difference. But the reality that it's not a sport should not take away from what poker is. It doesn't have to be a sport. And it's not.
Obviously poker is not like football,tennis ,,,but I think it is a mental sport like chess.Playing live events must be so tiring,You have to be in a very good shape to play for so many hours.
To you(thetzarofpoker) it is definitely Gambling because you need Luck to get good result.
As for me, it is exactly the same reason i had to convince my ex-wife(when we were still together back then) and my parents when i decided to go full-time and transit into pro.
I sat down with my parents and ex-wife with a deck of card and asked them to play 4 hours with me. Whatever amount they manage to win, i'll cash out to them but if i won, they don't have to pay me. As handicap, i will look into my hold card ONLY on the Turn which means i was playing blind until the Turn card was dealt.
During this session my father busted once, mum 4 times and ex-wife got frustrated(tilted) and stop in the middle of the session.
I demonstrated to them that i am capable of wining despite they are 3 vs me, against the odds of handicapping them and my ability to maximize to win most chips with a good hand. Of course, main reason i won is because i read all their tells which is something they never understand.
Their mentality is "Poker is gambling and it's all about Luck and more bankroll in order to win".
After this session, my parents has been supportive with me playing fulltime.
My ex-wife...she left.
At least for me, Poker is not Gambling, it's a job or Profession which i enjoy doing.
And no, Poker is not a Sport, it's more like a Chess game or Backgammon.
The problem is that poker is wrongly thought of as gambling, and therefore a reckless activity just because it involves money, a deck of cards and is played at casinos. It is true that some players treat poker simply as gambling and play accordingly, but they're degens that will always find a way to throw away money. Can poker become an addiction and lead to financial ruin? Yes, but so can anything else. You can blow all your money buying shoes or CDs or whatever else you become obsessed with.
Poker is a sport like chess. Here you need to calculate a lot, and even 5 moves ahead.
How you concieve this game, as sport, as gambling, Both,.. ???
Of course, when you get a hand you need to know how you will play preflop, flop, turn and riverSo you are telling me that you know 5 hands ahead???
Of course, when you get a hand you need to know how you will play preflop, flop, turn and river
You did not understand me. All possible situations can be easily calculated. Based on probability and chances, decisions are made. odds depend on the bank, but the attitude to the number of events will sooner or later lead to victory. Based on this, you decide to fold or check, raise or reraise. Based on the calculations and hands, you determine which street you need to make a decision. Everything is for us.Lets say on the flop you are sure (calculate or made math) that only one card can help your opponent and this particular opponent is sure that has nuts and goes allin.
I assume that you knowing that information will call, right?
And if this card shows through river you will loose this hand and that sound to me exactly like gambling..