Poker game – Should it be a game for the Olympics?
There has been an endless debate on how poker should be categorized. The endless debate must come to an end for obvious reasons. Perhaps, the proper issue to discuss is whether the game should be part of the Olympic Games. Anyhow, let us first discuss how poker is categorized.
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The issue that has always been linked with poker is whether it is a game of chance or luck or is it a game of skill? Due to the immense growth of gambling in the internet, many would categorize poker as a game of luck. However, for some gambling operators, they claim that the game in issue shouldn’t be classified as a game of mere luck, but of skill.
This claim is of course for simple reasons that poker requires of the player strategy and aptitude in order to win. Therefore, for this simple reason alone, poker can also be considered a sport that may be included in the Olympic games.
People think of poker as a game of chance because the player can win if he has the best cards; it has to do with the card distribution. But, Jack Weinstein (Federal Court Judge) made a ruling on mid August 2012 agreeing that poker is a game of skill. He was convinced that poker players are to be considered experts, for the game requires a wide range of skills such as psychological knowledge and the power of deception and observation.
In relation to this, the IMSA (Int’l Mind Sports Association) has recognized that poker falls in the same category as that of chess and bridge, And with this recognition, the IOC (International Olympics Committee) are slightly pressured whether to officially include the game as a sport.
While there is a long debate on the category to which the game belongs, it seems that the debate of whether to include it in the Olympics is wider. If we have the Olympics in mind, we can note that the game involves a physical aspect. It can be said that poker game requires fortitude and stamina especially during main tournaments that last 12 hours every day for the whole week. However, that isn’t the physical requirement of the Olympics. Some may say that poker can have a different platform, but not the Olympics.
However, one can say that due to the fact that poker is known worldwide, it should be part of the Olympic games. While the history of poker speaks of New Orleans and America, the introduction of the game to the online world made it possible for internet users to become aware of it and learn how to play.
Further, variations of the game were likewise developed and tournaments were acknowledged worldwide. In fact, even the Arab countries, which are known for having strict rules with respect to gambling have accepted poker, particularly Texas Hold’em. Hence, statistics show that Arab nations like Lebanon, UAE, and such other nations – Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan, have shown interest in poker.
These statistics arise from a study of the keyword searches made on online search engines, such as the terms “free play”, “Zynga poker”, or “Facebook card games”. Indeed, the game poker or بوكر in Arabic is certainly the most searched word.
To sum up, whether poker will make it to the Olympics or not, there is no arguing that this game will never lose its fame. In fact, there are many sites where one can play and improve one’s skill in poker. No matter where you are in the globe, information about online casinos is available. As one can see on online-casino-gambling-strategy.com, the game even surpasses the language barrier.
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