Whether it is possible to say that poker is sport?

Recently poker is actively ranked as the category of sports, leaving from gambling classification. In many countries poker concerns to sports. Whether it is connected with toughening laws on gamblings, or really essence of this game has absolutely other character? If to consider objectively it depends on the various points of view. Whether poker can be considered as a high-grade kind of sports?

By definition, sports are the activity of people including a physical pressure and skills, and having competitive character. Also it means active pastime or entertainment. Proceeding from it, poker does not get only physical activity to be a high-grade kind of sports. But in fact and a chess exclude physical activity.

Strategy and tactics helps to reach victory?

In sports, tactics and strategy help to reach advantage. Certainly, it has also the direct attitude to poker as correct strategy of game in poker, plus seriosly mathematical calculation of chances of a prize, define the winner. Without it, being based only on success to win in poker it is practically impossible. So in the book " the Theory of poker " David Sklansky, precisely states the mathematical methods, allowing to count up chances of a victory of any hand.

Is poker only game of success?

Perhaps, it is the most popular argument in favour of that poker is not sports. However in practice for the skilled player who well understands poker, success is far not the most important factor for victories. Besides unless the element of success is not present, anyhow, at any sports? For example, the strong wind and bad weather can strongly prevent to any command on a golf. Or, for example, in sailing, it is possible to consider the same weather conditions luck or not as the outcome of competition depends on them.

Whether there is in poker a spirit of rivalry?

Certainly, it is one of components in poker, as in poker strong feeling of rivalry is required very much to win pot. And about poker tournaments especially it is not necessary to forget, when the champion becomes one of thousand players, showing competitive qualities, in relation to other participants to beat out them from game.

Whether there is at competitions on poker a physical activity?

If to consider a muscular and mental pressure of players during game, that it is possible to note, that stressful conditions which are tested by players, it is quite possible to name physical activities from the point of view of medicine. Many players from such loadings lose kgs for tournaments. Though thus also there is no obvious physical activity. Having analysed all components of poker can be given quite positive answer, that probably poker all is sports. As poker is an action with a variety of strategy and tactics which can be used by the skilled, experienced player on a way to success with much greater efficiency, than inept and not skilled. Poker is not competition of physical strength, but, perhaps, this unique quality which does not approach under classification. But in fact there are also other kinds of sports meets in which there are no physical activities, for example checkers, a chess. But definitely poker has many features of sports character. Though players in poker also cannot be named sportsmen as usually struggle follows winnings, instead of for cups and medals.