Is poker a sport or a game of chance?

Is poker a sport or a game of chance? There have been all sorts of myths and rumours surrounding poker since its inception. Even though it is one of the most popular games in both traditional and online casinos, many still argue whether it should be considered a sport or simply a game of chance. Supporters of the first theory claim that poker requires strategic thinking, emotional control, psychological insight, and long-term skill development — all qualities of competitive sports. They believe that the best players can calculate probabilities, read opponents, and make informed decisions under pressure. Opponents argue that no experience can eliminate the role of luck, since even the most skilled player cannot control which cards appear on the table. In truth, poker combines both elements — skill and chance — creating a form of intellectual competition that rewards logic, self-discipline, and adaptability. This balance between unpredictability and mastery makes poker so appealing to millions of players, whether they play casually or compete professionally.

The card game of poker, so what is it?

Sure, it’s a card game to begin with, but any professional in the field will tell you that it’s not a game of chance. In such games the key to success is luck, and there is no way in other games to create a strategy that will pay off. As for poker, it’s not all about luck; it requires real skill. Of course, in a single hand or a small tournament a lot is decided by luck, but in regular games the one who knows the game best will win.

But then again, when asked if it’s a game of chance, the answer is yes. But these are people who have hardly ever played it.

That said, this card game is available in all casinos, and that’s gambling. These are serious arguments when parsing the issue. The Russian Federation even at one time wanted to separate poker from casinos and create appropriate game rooms or clubs. But it didn’t lead to anything, as often there is also roulette or blackjack in clubs of that type.

Can we say that poker is a sport?

As said before, skill plays an important role in the game. But is it a sport?

 If we look at it intuitively, we can say no. Most often, when a person mentions sport, they think of physical exertion or activity. But not all sports are associated with it either, for example, it could be the same darts or bowling or chess.

But, in fact, in today’s world things are much more complicated, because there are computer disciplines like CS:GO and Dota2. Cybersport is now actively developing, and tournaments attract the attention of many gamers and collect millions of dollars.

But if we look into the matter fully, poker is not officially recognized as a sport. And the question arises, what is the point of the dispute? Actually it’s very serious because if it’s not a sport then there’s no possibility to hold tournaments in the Russian Federation, it’s even illegal. So it’s extremely problematic to popularise poker offline, but it’s possible to play online.

And throughout Europe poker is officially allowed, that’s why there are big tournaments where many people participate and sooner or later even a beginner may get lucky.