Since it is Saturday afternoon, I thought there was no better time to create a little bit of controversy.
I had a long discussion today with my mother-in-law about gambling and poker. She is pretty against anything to do with gambling, so you can imagine that she wasn’t overly pleased to discover her daughter-by-marriage’s chosen career path. However, I have to give her credit, she has come a long way in trying to understand what I do.
Personally, I do not think of poker as gambling. I do not place my money against the house in a game of chance. Though there is wagering involved, when I buy in to a tournament or a ring game I am betting my money on my own skill, knowledge, history, probable odds, and abilities.
Like never before in history, we have the unmistakable ability to arm ourselves with the tools needed to succeed at this game, though so many players choose not to. There are endless free resources online, tutorials, books, and lessons players can take. This blog in itself provides insight into the game beyond a recreational level. Perhaps some players don’t have the time or inclination to learn more, or perhaps they don’t feel it is necessary and still believe that poker is a game of luck. Honestly though, if they believe that, they have only fulfilled their own prophecy. All poker will ever be to them is a game of luck, and that is when it is a gamble.


1. Small Stakes Hold 'Em by Ed Miller, David Sklansky, and Mason Malmuth, Page 19:
"Poker isn't gambling." You have surely heard someone say it. You may have said it yourself. Whoever says it usually really means, "In the long run, everyone expects to receive the same distribution of good and bad hands. Being lucky does not make you a long term winner; playing better than your opponents does. Eventually, the bad players will all lose, and the good players will all win." That is a bit long-winded, though, so most people tend to stick to, "Poker isn't gambling." You are better off not abbreviating, though, because the second statement is true, while the first one is not! Poker is gambling.
Posted at 7:48PM on Sep 17th 2005 by Bill Rini