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Find out more about Steven: Steve Ruddock is a professional poker player, instructor, and author. With over 10 years of playing experience, he is able to combine his real world experience, and his never-ending study of the game, to help players of all levels improve their play. Steve is a writer and contributor for pokerforums.org, and pokereagles.com. |
Since my column is in the 'games' section of examiner I think you can guess which side of this question I fall on. Of course poker is not a sport!
The only people who consider poker a sport are frustrated athletes. Have you looked around at a poker table lately? most of the tables I find myself sitting at look like the before commercial for Nutri-System.
The proponents of the "poker is a sport" myth cite the mental toughness and stamina needed to play for 12+ hours; well I say this, what about an accountant in April, are they athletes? How about a doctor doing a 12 hour surgery?
Athletes compete in physical activities that test motor skills: coordination, strength, speed, etc. The ability to sit in a chair for 12 hours while lifting nothing heavier than an 11gram poker chip (unless you decide to order a sandwich) is not physical activity.
I love poker as much as the next guy, but I'm not going to delude myself into thinking I'm competing in a sport when I play. I still exercise and play sports, because if I didn't I would be in terrible shape from sitting at a poker table all day!
For proof look no further than the picture Above, and the ones below, all top poker players! OK, so that last one isn't a 'top' pro...
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