by Austin Temple

Created on: July 04, 2009   Last Updated: July 05, 2009

We've all heard the arguments for each side and the definition of the word "sport," however those are not enough to come to a decisive conclusion. Ok, so Webster's Dictionary agrees with this 'no' side of the debate as it's definition includes physical exertion and activeness, but as we all know as sports grow, the definition of 'sport' should grow. So why isn't poker a sport?

"If poker is a sport we should put it in the Olympics" -Daniel Tosh.
This quotation, while humorous in nature, has a good argument. Not exactly that sports not included in the Olympics aren't sports (there's no argument against football, is there?), but rather that "sports" must have some historical meaning and value. Pokers history includes countless people gambling their lives away in bars and Las Vegas. Baseball, Football, and Soccer (Futball) have such rich histories that are entwined with the cultures of the people who play them. Baseball is thought to be the American sport, and in time of need, the participants of that sport have even left the game (serving in WWI, WWII, Vietnam, etc.) for our country. Soccer is much the same. In America, we don't seem to appreciate the game as much, but elsewhere in the world: soccer may as well be the only sport. It dates back centuries, as does baseball. Football and Basketball are each over 100 years old. While poker may be old, and may have history, it's history is not so much one of spirited competition as gambling.

Can gambling even be considered a sport? No! This debate wasn't even relevant until ESPN came out with "The World Series of Poker." I find that hilarious, as they had to rip off baseball to make it sounds interesting. The definition of "gambling" or "gamble" is: to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes. The main thing to focus on is OF CHANCE. Gambling doesn't require skill. I don't care how much people whine that poker players have skill. At what? Knowing when to hedge their bets? Wearing sunglasses? The fact is they are sitting around reading cards and throwing chips into a pile hoping their cards match some set of rules better than their opponents. If poker is a sport, so is Go Fish. Beer Pong has more skill required than poker, and much the same illegitimate beginnings.

So, poker has no rich or valued history and it requires no skill or talent other than the ability to not show emotion (note: talent in that case can be replaced by sunglasses). Even if that doesn't have you convinced, my third area of analysis should do it.

Sports, by nature, in order to continue, must be loved and played by kids around the world. Aforementioned sports liked baseball, basketball, football, and soccer teach teamwork, skill, hand-eye coordination, and sportsmanship. Even individual sports such as bowling and golf require similar skills, and sportsmanship is important. How does poker benefit the young generation? How do they practice? The answer is obvious. They are taught to gamble. Our youngest generations have enough problems without being taught that poker and gambling are valuable tools to know and perfect. Instead of being taught about teamwork, they are taught to operate alone. Instead of competing in the name of sport, they do it in the name of the almighty dollar. Sportsmanship? How can they learn sportsmanship in an event where the goal is to take the other competitor's money away?

After looking at poker's lack of rich history, lack of skill needed, and negative impact it has on our society (current and future), and can answer the question. Is poker a sport? No. It never has been, it never will be, and I dearly hope that ESPN stops broadcasting such a negative event in a good light.

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