Should games like poker and chess be counted as sports?

[cover drive man]

Its an interesting one, certainly they require little or no physical activity but they are just as challenging and they require just as much practise.

 

[luffy]

In my books, any game in which you keep score and can be played internationally rates as a sport. Just my personal opinion.

 

[vic_orthdox]

http://www.cricketweb.net/forum/off-topic/43127-pool-game-sport-hobby.html

 

[Son Of Coco]

I'd say no personally.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Nah. Any activity where a computer can beat the finest human players is purely mental and, devoid of the physical aspect, it doesn't qualify as a sport.

Pool, however, clearly does involved physical skill so would have no problems counting that as a sport.

 

[Craig]

So do people consider curling a sport?

 

[BoyBrumby]

So do people consider curling a sport?

Yeah. Physical activity with an agreed and not entirely subjective scoring system. Works for me.

Tedious to watch, but can see no reason to exclude it as a sport just because it's not my cup of char.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Would call poker and chess passtimes as opposed to sports.

 

[andmark]

As far as I'm concerned, a sport is a game which needs a great amount of skill to become a professional. Both Chess and Poker offer the opportunity to become professional, with the great skill.

 

[BoyBrumby]

As far as I'm concerned, a sport is a game which needs a great amount of skill to become a professional. Both Chess and Poker offer the opportunity to become professional, with the great skill.

Your contention doesn't hold water, sorry. Games like Gaelic football, hurling and field hockey are amatuer at the highest level, as was rugby union until 1995. Are we then to say these games aren't sports because the players can't become professional?

 

[GIMH]

Yes, IMO

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm undecided.

I guess I agree with everything Brumby's posted in here, but I've always felt that the whole "nah it's not a sport" thing just demeans the accomplishments of those who excel at it. I don't really think it's a sport but I think the champions of chess deserve as much respect as our tennis, cricket and swimming stars.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, they do, but that still doesn't make it sport. I mean, Axl Rose is probably the only person whose work I love as much as John Aldridge's or Andrew Flintoff's, but it doesn't mean I am disrespecting him when i say he isn't a sportsman, as he's a singer. And chess players aren't sportsmen, but, well, they are chess players.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah, they do, but that still doesn't make it sport. I mean, Axl Rose is probably the only person whose work I love as much as John Aldridge's or Andrew Flintoff's, but it doesn't mean I am disrespecting him when i say he isn't a sportsman, as he's a singer. And chess players aren't sportsmen, but, well, they are chess players.

Yeah, I agree I guess. I just find that the "chess isn't a sport" argument often tends to come from people who are trying to talk it down rather than people who just don't think it qualifies under sport's definition.

Person A: Wow, he's one of the best chess players in the world!
Person B: lolz who cares chess isnt even a sprt hahahahaha

Deep down, I agree with you and Brumby.

 

[sledger]

I would say that they are both "games" rather than "sports".

 

[Johnners]

Awta

 

[Matt79]

As far as I'm concerned, a sport is a game which needs a great amount of skill to become a professional. Both Chess and Poker offer the opportunity to become professional, with the great skill.

So scrabble, Worlds of Warcraft, playing a musical instrument, and baking are all sports?

No way are either poker or chess sports. They are games. That doesn't denigrate the skill of the people who play them, but that skill and effort no more makes them a sport than it makes them art.

 

[Jamee999]

They're not sports, but are still worthwhile.

 

[Simon]

I would say that they are both "games" rather than "sports".

This.

 

[NUFAN]

Why is this thread in the General Sports Forum?