It appears as though there are just 9 players left at this year's World Series of Poker. If you hadn't noticed, it's probably because ESPN is the only network interested in calling this a sport. Now, I will admit that at one time I was guilty of falling into the hype of poker because of ESPN showing it on TV, and for a while wanted to learn everything about the game. But then after a solid 6-12 months of taking the game seriously I came to a vicious realization: skill plays a very small role in the outcome of a poker tournament. Don't believe me? Just ask all the so-called "pros" of poker who haven't won a WSOP since Chris "Jesus" Ferguson in 2000, and Scotty Nguyen in 1998. A new no-name player wins seemingly every year.
I'm not naive enough to think that these guys aren't doing well in the tournament consistently because they have skill. They are doing well, they just can't win. They are good, and better poker players than the other fish at the tournament. But the question remains: is poker a true sport, a game where the skill of an individual (or team, but not in this case) is the sole deciding factor in the outcome of an event? I say absolutely not. Some may argue that luck is involved in some other widely accepted sports on the way to a championship, such as the Florida Marlins getting a little help from a dork with headphones who shall remain nameless. But is that really why the Marlins won? After all it was just a foul ball, and gold glove shortstop Alex Gonzalez did boot the following routine double play ball. Would you tell me that guys like Roger Federer (this guy will get his own article in the near future... wow is he good) or Tiger Woods are lucky enough to win consistently?
Poker is a game where the cards dealt must be played. And the irony of it is that you can't even win by playing the best hands! A pair of aces in the hole is the best starting hand in Texas Hold-em, yet only wins a showdown about a third of the time.
Poker players can develop an almost God-like ego when they learn the "right way" to play the game. If someone stays in a hand with nothing but a draw, or hope that a certain card will fall, then they hit that card, the "good" poker player will gripe all night about how he was robbed. Tough luck buddy, you got beat. Poker is not a game of skill, its a game of luck. If everyone played the same way, or by the book, it wouldn't be a very interesting game, would it?
I can't think of a better example to convey my point than making you aware of the newly hyped "sport" on ESPN: The Rock, Scissor, Paper Tournament.
Until next time...
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Come on! Poker is definitely a sport, until you make the pro circuit, anyway.
Think of all the physical strength it takes to haul cases of beer and bags of snacks to the table. And then there is all the physical exertion involved in getting up to get another beer, or to pee out your beer before you grab another beer.
Obviously once you go pro, the only exertion comes in the form of the "getting up to pee part," at least until Vegas hires girls to hold a urinal for you at the table, modeling the latest Prada toga wear.
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