Gambling or not?

[mollila]

The debate is ongoing on whether poker is a game of skill or gambling. What is your viewpoint, if asked to choose between the two?

[kelkat]

It's a gambling game that requires skill!

No matter how good you are, there is always some luck involved. That's what makes it gambling. But if you study and practice you can get better, that's what makes it skill.

[r8rpwr]

I'd say it's about 50/50.

(How's that for a nonanswer, LOL).

Seriously, it obviously requires skill, something I have noticed as I continue to play and feel that my play has improved. However, if you don't get the cards, you're not likely to win, unless you're a good and frequent bluffer and even then the other players usually figure it out.

[chocolatee]

i agree...it's a mix of both...since you bet some money when you play, it's gambling...it's a game of skill because you need some amount of skill in order to win...

[hiski]

Gambling. Even if you master it it is still gambling.

[mollila]

Originally Posted by hiski Gambling. Even if you master it it is still gambling.

Its gambling, but your greater skill can give you an edge over other players.

[Full House]

If you play Poker for long enough it is really a game of percentages.

Take the percentage route in long drawn out games, and you have a good chance of being successful.

[hiski]

Originally Posted by Full House If you play Poker for long enough it is really a game of percentages. Take the percentage route in long drawn out games, and you have a good chance of being successful.

Very true and as Mr.Ollila said skills gives you edge, but still - it is gambling

[Velvet Umbrella]

It?s a game that involves gambling. You don't always have to play for money. But you must lose something to play, it can be candy or money etc. But with out the risk or gain of possession poker is just not poker.

[Pimpin]

As the others, i would say it is a mixture of both gambling and skill. If asked to choose between the two however i would opt to say it is a game of skill. Some people do gamble heavily with it (loose players), however most of the top rate players make their decisions based on reads, cards they are holding and so forth. Blackjack and roulette are gambling, poker requires the skill to know when to hold' em, fold' em, and walk away

[ester11]

Poker to me is a gamble. You do have to be smart enough to rationalize what is possible and what is really not likely.. and even given that. things can happen even when they are not likely to. sure. you can count the odds.. but the odds are not always definate. Its a gamble but you need a little skill to make decisions.. that might increase your chance of acutally winning too.

[sledracer01]

i said a game of skill but yes it is still gambleing, you cant win every hand, cuz shitjust doesnt work like that

[crkdog]

Its a total Gamble That your skills can make your opponents think your 7 3 off suit is really AA and they fold when you bluff on the river hahhahaha Like I said its a gamble but the skill of not giving yourself up that what seperates the best players.

[123bird]

In my opinion Texas NLHD Poker is, 10% skill,20% gambling,70% luck= For 95% Of the poker playing people

Unless you are the other 5%, professional poker player ( Phill Ivey or Chirs Ferguson etc)where the percentages turn around,to more skill & gambling

My reasoning for this.
Is there any other (sport,game)where anybody can walk in of the street, put there money on the table & have any chance at all to beat a professional player.(they might not win the whole tourney but if they get lucky they are a good chance to knock a pro out)
In NLHD you just have to look at the WSOP main event for the past few years.(Jamie Gold,etc)

I'll agree that other games like, (5 card draw,stud,mannila etc) you need have alot more skill, but even in them games you still need a little luck & have the gambling Kahunas to put your whole stack online.

[Amut]

unlike blackjack, poker is a game where we are playing other players, not the house. The house always wins and you cant get the house off the pot by bluffing. So skill Is required to win.

[Markie141]

It's a game of skill , it does have an element of luck of course but so do all games , but it's very easy to tell gamblers from card players who play based on skill and the best odds lol

[Markie141]

It is a skill based game because the choices you make have a difference in the outcome , playing slots on the other hand is gambling lol ,

[Fictive]

It's a game of skill with some gamble to boot.

Play 100 hands, it's gambling, play 10000, and it comes down to skill.

[dulken]

this is an ongoing debate in denmark as a casino has sewed the "danish poker union" for arranging poker tournaments, which they consider gambling. courts findings have so for been various (been to cout twice 2 different results and soon going for the third time) fact of the matter is. poker requires skill to a certain extent, even though it is a game where being lucky is better than bing good it stil requires you to have a certain amount of brain. since in poker you aren't betting against the house but betting against each other i would say that poker is a game of 40% skill and 60% luck. if this is to be court findings in denmark the danish poker union will win the case as poker wil then not be deemed gambling but a game of skill that requires abilities. therefore i would say that poker is not gambling but a game of skill that involves the twist of luck that makes the game the game.

[TheBigDogg]

"A gambler is someone who wagers unfavourable odds
A poker player is someone who wagers favourable odds"
(Tony Holden BigDeal)

Is the bookmaker or casino gambling? On any one hand of black jack or spin of the roulette wheel they can lose money (a lot of money, if its a whale playing). But over the long run they cant lose, its a mathmatical certainty.
Same with poker, if you play at an affordable level (good bankroll managment) against players who you are better than. You can not fail to make money. The problem comes when we over estimate our ability or play for stakes our bankroll cant handle if we have a down swing.

playing poker isnt gambling, gambling can be a style of playing poker