Is Poker a Sport or Only a Game of Chance? Discuss!

For many moons, poker has been called a game of skill and luck, but can it also be considered a sport? Some people argue yes, while others say it’s a definitive no. While poker requires skill, mental toughness and physical durability like a sport, critics also argue the luck component and gaming aspect disqualify it from the classification. So let’s discuss the neverending debate, addressing both sides: Team Poker IS a Sport vs. Team Poker IS NOT a Sport. 

What is a Sport? 

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a sport is "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment."  Many mind games are already considered sports, with the most famous example being Chess, which has been recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee since 2000. But can poker be considered a sport too?

Poker IS a sport

Poker combines strategy, as skill and winners are determined through fierce competition where players try to outwit each other. It requires logical thinking, mental awareness, practice and training to gain a competitive edge over opponents, just like many sports. 

Put simply, poker has all the traits as defined by the Oxford Dictionary to be declared a sport:

Physical Exertion: If golf can be classified as a sport, why not poker? Anybody who has played a long poker session can tell you it's tough on the mind and body. Long sessions require mental toughness, physical durability and stamina to stay alert and play competently for long periods. 

Competition: Poker competition is fierce; the heart of the game is built around the concept of players duking it out over who has the highest ranked hand or failing that bluffing their way to victory. It can sometimes have players teaming up as well, in events such as the Tag Team No-Limit Hold 'em Tournament at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). No other casino game involves competition against other players. 

Entertainment: Player numbers have dropped off since the poker boom of the early 2000s, but there are still millions of people all over the world who play poker because it's entertaining. As the game has grown, it's also attracted a large and dedicated fanbase who like watching the skill on display, and seeing the large prizes on offer, which has prompted major media outlets to broadcast poker for viewers. ESPN covered the World Series of Poker (WSOP) for years, and CBS Sports took the reins after them. Live events also attract spectators, sometimes in the thousands, depending on the size and prestige of the game.  

Skills: Winning a poker hand takes a sharp mind; nobody can deny there is a skill aspect to poker. The players might not be walking around with a set of washboard abs and arms the size of tree trunks but they train and learn other skills, honing their minds to perform feats of mathematics and strategy. Everyone can certainly learn to play poker, just like any sport. However, only a relatively small group have the skill and discipline to reach the highest levels of competition. 

Poker is NOT a Sport

Poker is not a sport because it involves a significant aspect of luck. Merriam-Webster dictionaries define a game of chance as "a game (such as a dice game) in which chance rather than skill determines the outcome.” A skilled player can frequently win, but amateurs and beginners can still beat a professional with years of experience if they get the right cards or manage to bluff. The random nature of poker, reliance on chips and the gaming aspect makes it more a game of chance than a sport. 

Luck Over Skill: There is a large element of skill in poker, but it also takes luck, more so than many other sports. Regardless of the game, American football, basketball or hockey, the best players from these sports would easily outclass an amateur or beginner in all but a handful of isolated cases. However, in poker sometimes no matter how skilled, the best player doesn't always win. Untested amateurs and beginners have won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) on more than one occasion, outlasting some of the best poker players in the world. 

Gaming Element: Unlike other sports, poker requires a player to use chips and risk real world currency to join a table. The real world implications for players who lose, and the gaming aspect of poker disqualify it from being classed as a sport. 

The Entertainment Factor: Spectators often watch sports to see physical feats and action that are borderline superhuman. A poker hand can be highly entertaining, especially if there is a large prize on the line, but a lot of the time, there is minimal action or entertainment for the average viewer. Everybody at the table might fold or the hands might be long and drawn out as a player weighs up their options. 

Always Been a Game of Chance: Poker has a long history dating back centuries. From its point of origin, the game traveled across continents and was adopted and then modified by numerous cultures to create a wide range of variants; nobody ever declared it a sport. 

Poker a Sport or Not? 

The International Mind Sports Association deemed poker a mind sport in 2010. While in 2017, the International Federation of Poker was given "observer status" by the Global Association of International Sports Federations. However, no major sporting body has ever declared the game a sport. The debate around poker's status as a game of chance or a sport has been ongoing for years and will likely continue for many more.

Poker: Sport or Chance? FAQs

How does poker compare to other mind sports like chess?
Poker and chess are both recognized as mind sports due to their reliance on strategy, skill, and mental acuity. Like chess, poker requires a sharp mind and strategic thinking. However, poker also involves an element of luck with the cards dealt, which differentiates it from chess, where outcomes are purely based on skill and strategy. Chess has been officially recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee since 2000, while poker has not yet achieved similar recognition from major sporting bodies.

Can poker be entertaining to watch like other sports?
Yes, poker can be highly entertaining to watch, especially during high-stakes tournaments such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP). The game attracts large audiences who enjoy the strategic depth and psychological aspects of poker. Major media outlets like ESPN and CBS Sports have covered poker events, and live tournaments often draw thousands of spectators. While poker might not have the physical action of sports like football or basketball, its strategic play and dramatic moments provide entertainment for many fans.

Has poker ever been included in the Olympics or other major sporting events?
No, poker has not been included in the Olympics or other major international sporting events. Despite its recognition as a mind sport by the International Mind Sports Association in 2010 and its observer status with the Global Association of International Sports Federations, poker has yet to achieve official status as a sport in the context of the Olympics or similar prestigious events.

How does the use of real money in poker influence its classification?
The use of real money in poker adds a gaming element that influences its classification. Unlike traditional sports, poker involves wagering real-world currency, which aligns it more closely with gaming than with physical sports. This aspect, along with the significant element of luck, leads some critics to argue that poker should be considered more of a game of chance rather than a sport. The financial stakes and gaming component set it apart from other sports that focus purely on physical and skill-based competition.