Poker takes as much stamina and endurance as any other sport. Sure, theres no contact, but try playing a tournament like most WSOP or WPT players do that goes for three or four days straight, playing anywhere from 7-12 hours per day! On the third or fourth day you are mentally AND physically tired. The definition of a sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and is often engaged in competitively. That defines poker.
I agree that poker is physically demanding and can be very exhausing when playing for a long period of time. However, I don't think it should be classified as a sport. It is a game. The definition you gave also could cover the following;
Snakes and Ladders
Politics
Chesss
If the question is being asked because this board is on SportsLine, I would say it's simply because of the overwhelming interest generated in the game over the last 5 years. As for catagorizing it one way or another, I don't see why that should be so important. If you enjoy the game, play it and don't worry how or what people think.
Poker is a game....not a sport.....Sure it requires mental stamina but. there is no ball, no contact and no defined finishing point (time, line, round).
The reason it is on here is simple.......most males who follow sports gravitate towards Poker to replace the the competitive nature that is void from not playing sports as they did when they were young.....Hence the popularity (plus dream of winning the big one). If it draws sports fans then it is a monsy making opportunity for Sportsline.....
I love Poker. I watch the media coverage - Play it online - play it at deer camp. I go to the casino strictly for the Hold'em. Is it a sport .... Is a spelling B a sport? I saw it advertised on ESPN. As stated before it's a game. The competitveness and the amounts of cash paid generate enough interest to draw in advertising and now you have a product. Where is the best place to sell this product? Where people are competitive - by the way a lot of sports junkies LOVE to wager on the games ..... now we have a common ground. It's the "degenerate" in the gambler that has brought the game to "SPORTS" status.
