Russia Says Poker Not a Sport

Russia had designated poker as a sport in 2007, but that decision apparently had an error and it is now gambling again. Under sport status, poker enjoyed exempt status from Russian restrictions that had cut down on gambling. The news begs the question is poker a sport?

Steering clear of any Webster’s Dictionary definitions, I’ll say the Russian government ultimately got it right. Poker isn’t a sport. Basketball, baseball, football, tennis, golf, and so on are sports. Poker is a game of skill and chance and you’ve got to categorize it as gambling because even if you play the game as well as it can be played, you can still lose your money.

Ultimately it is a game of chance where you can increase your odds of winning by playing skillfully.

SXC.hu