WSOP - Gambling or Competition

While channel surfing last night I came across the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and my wife quickly asked me to turn the channel. She did not want to watch people gamble.

As I thought about it, I realized I don’t think of the WSOP as gambling, because it is different then a group of guys going to Vegas hoping to make some money.

And yet, even though the players do have grueling hours, need concentration and some skill, I’m not going to call it a sport, either. But I’ll call it entertainment, and that is why ESPN shows it. It is popular because it is something that anyone can do and you do not need to spend lots of money on equipment.

These men and women from around the world are paying an entry fee—not to win lots of money which may change their lives—but for the title of being the poker champion. Their lives may or may not be changed because of their winnings, but I don’t see that they are different than other athletes who pay their entry fees to be in tournaments, races or other competitions. They pay the fees so that they can get into the competition in hopes of becoming the champion of the event. Yes, they do have to “bet” chips with the goal of winning the pot, but it is a calculated move based upon odds and gut feelings. I’m not seeing that as any different then a football coach calling a play based upon yardage needed and time left in the game. If they are wrong they may lose the game and be out of the championship contention which will affect how much they will be paid.

If people have budgeted funds for recreation and choose to play cards over golfing, fishing or bowling, who cares as long as they don’t exceed their budget? That is assuming that when the finances get tight they will realize that the recreation budget needs to be cut first so that the bills can be paid.

And yet, trying to make money by playing poker (gambling) can be addictive, which can ruin a person’s family and career. So the wiser choice would seem to be to try and keep a healthy distance from it, instead of getting close to a line that can ruin your life, and spending your recreational money on things that are on a “slippery slope” which could lead to ruin. There are plenty of Proverbs that tell us to work hard, be disciplined and provide for ourselves and family, which will bless and prosper us; but the sluggard and sloth will be left to ruin. We should question our motives: If we are playing poker to try and get rich quick, we will always fail, and it could lead to our ruin.

Editorial