For obvious reasons, the Summer Olympics have the entire world glued to the screens, watching all the best athletes in the world compete for a gold medal. Top sportsmen from different countries compete in well-known sports categories – like gymnastics and basketball – alongside some unfamiliar categories like climbing and archery.
However, traditional sports are not the only events that manage to attract the attention of the masses. In recent years, the popularity of the Olympic Esports Series has been on the rise, as more and more people view competitive e-gaming as a legitimate sport.
It has even been debated whether other types of games should also be featured in the Olympics, as some people classify chess and even poker games as noteworthy sports. But which games can be really considered a sport? And does that mean we might see poker players at the 2028 Olympics?
Is Poker a Sport?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of a sport is as follows: "A game, competition, or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job".
Now, let's break things down step by step. First of all, poker is a game that requires a considerable amount of skill, so we have that box checked. It takes years and years of practice to hone your poker skills enough to compete in the big leagues, just like in most Olympic sports.
Poker is also a game that is played according to very specific rules that players must follow to a T if they want to compete at the highest levels, which is another box we can tick off.
But can we truly say that poker is an activity that requires physical effort? This is probably the main thing that stands in the way of poker being defined as a sport. Some will say that sitting at the poker table is not exerting enough, but poker fans know exactly how taxing it can be to play this game on a professional level. The mental strain and the physical effects that poker has on a player's body shouldn't be overlooked.
In addition to some of the physical traits poker players have in common with athletes, they are similar to one another in the mental department as well. Poker players must be highly motivated, dedicated to their goals, and willing to spend years practicing their craft. They are also required to have the mental ability to tune out their critics and opponents and focus on the game in front of them without allowing negative feelings to affect their performance.
Will We See Poker in the 2028 Olympics?
The answer to this question is probably no. Well, not yet at least. While some are trying to push the issue and ensure that poker is recognized as an Olympic sport, it might take a lot of time for the right people to be convinced.
In order for any sport or game to make it into the Olympics, it has to be approved by the Olympic committee and meet very specific game requirements. First of all, poker would have to be recognized as a sport. Moreover, all Olympic participants will have to get tested to enforce the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.
And even then, the current form of poker won't do. Instead of gambling, poker players will have to play match poker, where players sit at different tables but play out the same scenario, so at the end of the day, all players will be tested for their skill only without adding luck to the equation.
In this version of poker, all players start with the same amount of chips, and the same cards are dealt at all tables, to ensure the game is completely fair and equal.
There are multiple organizations around the world, including the International Federation of Match Poker (IFMP), that strive to turn poker into an Olympic game. And who knows? Maybe in four years, they will turn the dream into a reality!