Since when did poker become a "sport" worthy of so much TV coverage, especially on ESPN, et. al.? I'm no prude, and I've played my fair share of poker in dorms and in Las Vegas... but this just doesn't seem right to me.

To be sure, it's entertainment, and I suppose that is the one true common denominator with sports. But to call poker "a sport" is a joke. I've heard from some folks who disagree with auto-racing being a sport, but drivers do go through a grueling and physical regimen throughout the contest. The only sweat poker players break is to reach for their drink or to signal a Double Down!

The ONLY reason I believe ESPN is carrying poker events is for the money, plain and simple. Poker is the "in thing" right now as it brings in the ratings share. Increased ratings = increased advertising revenue.

Can anyone else 'splain it differently to me?

Gig'em, Aggies!

Same reason that ESPN shows cheerleading, jump rope championships and billiards, I suppose.

And they have been doing it for years, so why are you b1tching now?

Don't forget Putt-Putt championships.

ESPN always did a decent amount of coverage of the World Series of Poker, but never anything this in-depth.

I think all the bigger networks were amazed at how good World Poker Tour was doing on the Travel Channel and wanted their piece of the pie.

And when the heck do you double down in poker?

quote:

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The ONLY reason I believe ESPN is carrying poker events is for the money, plain and simple. Poker is the "in thing" right now as it brings in the ratings share. Increased ratings = increased advertising revenue.

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Well, ESPN is owned by Disney which is a public corporation. And any public corporation's sole purpose is to generate money for its shareholders. It means of doing it is less important.

For years, half the stuff on ESPN or 2 hasn't been sports.
Reminds me of Charles Barkley's quote several years ago when they were coming out with ESPN2. He said why? They can't even fill up regular ESPN with sports.

WPT is one of my favs. Granted a little excessive for ESPN/2 to show WSOP replay 2-3 times a week.

They had scrabble and the world spelling bee on ESPN too... Go figure.

you have to admit though, Chris Moneymaker is the man.

Entertainment and
Sports
Programing
Network

OK, CBatt, you got me there! But if it's "Entertainment"-SPN, then why not a little T&A?! Now, that would be entertainment!

And to the previous poster who said it's been around (poker/gambling on ESPN), true, but not this bad. Even the radio and TV airwaves are littered with infomercials on gaming and sports betting. Lotteries are up everywhere. (Shoot, two women in Ohio were duking it out yesterday over who won the $62M share of the MegaLotto.)

Point is, it's almost at epidemic proportions. It APPEARS (not saying its fact, but it's getting awfully close) that everyone is believing more in the game of chance for their success than in good, old-fashioned hard work. And just to be fair, yes, I've done Vegas a time or two and have purchased a Lotto ticket on occasion. But compared to most, I am a mere amatuer.

No wonder personal indebtedness is at an all-time high. Come to think of it, debt consolidation TV ads run a close second to the sports bettors!

Kinda makes you go "Hmmmmm..."

Look for T&A on the womens nine ball championship shows.

did you ever see the magic the gathering tournament on espn2?

Personally, I prefer the WPT on The Travel Cahnnel. I like the announcers better. Vince Van Patten is the shiznit.

Cotton - Didn't know you were gonna turn this into your soapbox. Thought we were talking about poker on ESPN.

If you want to talk about the ills of society, it's best to try some other board.

Cooter,

Perhaps I wandered a bit too far. My apologies.

But, one of my original thoughts (which I admit may not have been well articulated) is that gambling and sports may be coming too close together. Sure, they have been connected sinced God made dirt, but its mostly been in the "back room" or some distant corner of society. Not any more. It's becoming more mainstream. The gambling commercials on radio and TV are almost making it sound respectable, right up there with the Miss America pageant. (Come to think of it, there's probably gambling on that, too!)

I suppose gambling and sports will always be connected, whether we (I) like it or not. I just think its very dangerous for them to get TOO close, that's all... too close for individuals [Pete Rose and Art Schleister (sp?) come to mind] and too close for programs (I'm thinking of some college basketball teams some years ago, but can't remember their names).
And let's not forget the near cousin to all this: NCAA infractions like SMU's Death Penalty our very own problems at Aggieland.

I hope that explanation brings it back into the Sports category.

Gig'em, Aggies!

"but drivers do go through a grueling and physical regimen throughout the contest. The only sweat poker players break is to reach for their drink or to signal a Double Down!"

If you think a tourney like this isn't grueling, your crazy.

This is wonderful...

First, there's the one-day episodes of the World Series of Poker on ESPN.

Then, there's the WPT on the Travel Channel (who was the first to show the players' cards), which leads to the 7-part series of the World Series on ESPN.

Then, there's the Celebrity Poker Showdown on Bravo.

Now, I see the "Showdown at the Sands" on FoxSW.


I love it. Gimme a poker network, and I'll watch all day long.

Dudes in Bikini's flexing is not a sport either.

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Kirk Bohls - Sept 18, 2003 - UT players' silence says volumes
Their message is muted, quite literally in this case. If the Longhorns want respect, they're going about it in the wrong way. They're already being mocked from coast to coast.

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quote:

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I'm no prude, and I've played my fair share of poker in dorms and in Las Vegas.

To be sure, it's entertainment, and I suppose that is the one true common denominator with sports. But to call poker "a sport" is a joke. I've heard from some folks who disagree with auto-racing being a sport, but drivers do go through a grueling and physical regimen throughout the contest. The only sweat poker players break is to reach for their drink or to signal a Double Down!

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I have to agree with AG99 (and bthotugigem05tuvwxyz a little earlier).

If I were playing poker in Vegas and someone said Double Down, I'd have to backhand 'em and tell them to go back to playing blackjack or slots. Let the big kids play poker.

Edit - grammar errors

[This message has been edited by Texas Yarddog (edited 2/12/2004 5:15p).]

Dammit Yarddog, I read this entire thread just to make sure nobody had beaten me to the "double down" flame, and you got it on the last post.

I have to disagree with you though. If some sucker has no idea how the betting works, I DEFINITELY want him at my poker table.

"If you can't spot the sucker in the first thirty minutes at a table then you are the sucker."

Moneymaker isn't that great of a player... He called or went all-in with a lot of borderline hands and was bailed out.. I was in a frequent player point freeroll at PokerStars, he was also playing in this tourney.. He finished 1,000 something out of 3,000 something.. I know at times you have bad beats but that is still bad.. He also played in the Sunday $200+15 that same day and did get 30th.. Another guy made a huge preflop raise and showed some real strength. Moneymaker went all-in with pocket queens, this is questionable with another good player showing strength.. The other guy turned over cowboys and knocked him out..

Playing poker against weak competition isn't gambling, it's a must.. Gambling is when you're taking a chance... If you know what are good starting hands and when to play these hands, can calculate pot odds, know the odds of improving your hand, can be mentally strong even after a bad beat, etc then you will win in the long run.. There will always be short term fluctuations but this is a game of skill.