Do you consider poker gambling?

runnerx289 · Feb 19, 2013

OzExorcist said:
Her first argument (it's not gambling because you don't play against the house) doesn't prove anything though.

By that logic making a bet with a friend on the outcome of a football game isn't gambling either, because there's no rake and you're not playing against the house.

Not playing against the house is what makes poker beatable, but it doesn't change whether or not it's gambling.

Yes, I agree with you on that respect mostly the second part of the interview is more relevant.

pokerprince89 · Feb 20, 2013

I would say its gambling with strategy.

Of course you can say good players win in the long run... But have you any idea how long is long? For a game like Omaha, if you play live, I won't be surprised you need to play for years before you get close to your true winrate...

Not to mention the swings..

Nathan Williams · Feb 20, 2013

No I have never considered it gambling although I don't spend much time searching for exact definitions of the term. Maybe it is according to whoever's definition you use. I do like the fact that most people think that it is gambling though. I usually just agree with them.

OzExorcist · Feb 20, 2013

BlackRain79 said:
No I have never considered it gambling although I don't spend much time searching for exact definitions of the term. Maybe it is according to whoever's definition you use. I do like the fact that most people think that it is gambling though. I usually just agree with them.

FWIW it's pretty hard to find any definition of the word "gambling" that wouldn't apply to poker.

But I agree absolutely with the approach you're taking to the issue - honestly, what reason is there for us to care whether people think poker is gambling or not?!? Outside of some potential tax implications in some countries I can't think of any and like you say, in many cases it's actually beneficial for us if people consider it gambling...

dbcooper1999 · Feb 20, 2013

Gambling: of course.
No one ever . . . EvEr . . . wins a tournament without a substantial amount of luck.
No one ever . . . eVeR . . . wins a tournament without a substantial amount of skill.

Acesinthebig · Feb 20, 2013

If Poker was gambling, I wouldn't play

OzExorcist · Feb 20, 2013

Acesinthebig said:
If Poker was gambling, I wouldn't play

I think this is actually the flipside to what Black Rain was saying, and it's another good thing for winning players.

If casuals think it's all just gambling then that's great because they'll be more willing to play and risk their money.

On the flipside, there are a lot of losing regs (not saying you're one of them BTW Aces, just making a point) who will continue to deposit, play and lose because they firmly believe that poker isn't gambling, that they're skilled players and they're just running bad. Those players are just as important to the poker ecosystem as the casuals who think it's all just gambling.

Both points of view can be dangerous / misleading, and they're both good news for the winning regs.

duggs · Feb 20, 2013

life is gambling

bz54321 · Feb 21, 2013

Acesinthebig said:
If Poker was gambling, I wouldn't play

ppppfffttt you are a total gambler. When you shoved on the turn with nothing but a flush draw you were gambling that I would not call you. You got lucky because I was 50/50 to call you. So lucky on that gamble aces.......

Matt Vaughan · Feb 21, 2013

OzExorcist said:
The only difference between the financial analyst and the professional poker player is that the financial analyst's gambling is more socially accepted than the poker player's. I guess putting on a suit and tie and going to an office every day, as opposed to putting on a hoodie and going to a casino or sitting in front of your home computer, will help reinforce that impression.

Guess Norman Chad was right and we should all go to our final tables in tuxedos

(or fancy dresses)

detourglr · Feb 21, 2013

depends how good you are at poker.. if you really are good it isnt gambling... So my answer is.. I consider it gambling.. LOL

sylpoker1 · Feb 21, 2013

I think, of course, poker is gambling.Since you need that element of luck in the game too, along with skill it definitely is.Crossing a busy city street can be a gamble too. We always need a little luck in life.

bz54321 · Feb 21, 2013

If you don't gamble when playing poker there is no way you will be a long term winner.... Just like in life if you never take a gamble you have already lost(I took a huge gamble when I was trying to win my Wife and it has never stopped paying off).

What I am wondering is if anyone considers the Dictionary a book full of useful definitions to words? I know I don't its way more fun to make up my own meanings.

AlfieAA · Feb 21, 2013

Its the only gambling I do, because I'm not a gambler

duggs · Feb 21, 2013

life is gambling, you just dont get any credit for running bad, and get way too much credit for running good.

bz54321 · Feb 21, 2013

duggs said:
life is gambling, you just dont get any credit for running bad, and get way too much credit for running good.

LOL love this. Like Buffett sayed invest in a company that will make a profit even if a moron is running it. Because eventually a moron will be running it.

OzExorcist · Feb 21, 2013

Scourrge said:
Guess Norman Chad was right and we should all go to our final tables in tuxedos (or fancy dresses)

If the profession was looking for more respect then it certainly wouldn't hurt. I doubt it'd change most people's minds on the "is it gambling" issue though, since it's still a game that's played in a casino and, by any reasonable layperson's definition of the word, poker really is gambling.

IMO the issue is removing the stigma from it being gambling, rather than trying to redefine it altogether as "not gambling". Make it more "yes it's gambling, but no, there's nothing wrong with that".

Aleksei · Feb 22, 2013

Poker is gambling, but by the definitional interpretation that makes it so stock trading is gambling as well.

In fact, any investment at all is a gamble.

Thus, I prefer to consider poker a short-term, high-risk, very high-yield investment.

Matt Vaughan · Feb 22, 2013

Aleksei said:
Poker is gambling, but by the definitional interpretation that makes it so stock trading is gambling as well.

In fact, any investment at all is a gamble.

Thus, I prefer to consider poker a short-term, high-risk, very high-yield investment.

Solid 2nd post. Welcome to Cardschat

Aleksei · Feb 22, 2013

Thanks.

dead homie · Apr 29, 2013

yes poker is gambling, even if your good, i dont understand why people say its not

Tom1559 · Apr 29, 2013

Poker is without doubt gambling albeit with an edge to those who are skilled and make more correct decisions that wrong ones.

Aces2w1n · Apr 29, 2013

In life everything is a gamble in some form.. Not always money based.

jcla6985 · May 2, 2013

Yes poker is gambling. Anything you put an assett into with 100% assurance you would get it back is a gamble

jasonv12 · May 16, 2013

Is opening a business a gamble? I mean it is a gamble, but for winning players it is gambling with good investments and odds in your favor.

Do you consider poker gambling?

runnerx289

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OzExorcist

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duggs

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bz54321

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AlfieAA

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duggs

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bz54321

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OzExorcist

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Aleksei

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Matt Vaughan

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Aleksei

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dead homie

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