Poker as a Mind Sport

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LiviuRo123

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Do you see poker more as a gambling game or as a mind sport? I personally think the mental strategy makes it closer to chess than to slots.
 
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vivek5522____

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Poker’s 100% a mind sport. You’re not running or lifting weights, but you’re battling with focus, memory, patience, and mental stamina. It’s like chess with money on the line you’ve got to read people, process information fast, and make the best decisions under pressure. At the highest level, it’s not about luck at all, it’s about who can stay sharp the longest.
 
bremp555

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I agree with you that poker feels much closer to a mind sport than a pure gambling game. Of course, there’s always an element of luck in the short term, but in the long run skill, discipline, and decision-making play a much bigger role. The fact that players study math, psychology, and strategy to gain an edge shows that it’s not just about chance—it’s about preparation and execution, like in chess or other strategy games.

At the same time, I think the gambling side can’t be completely ignored, because money is always involved and variance can have a big impact. That’s what makes poker unique: it’s a mix of both worlds. For me, that combination is what makes it so exciting—you need the mental strength of a mind sport, but also the bankroll management and emotional control to handle the gambling aspect.
 
margmilo44

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Poker demands just as much mental discipline and strategic thinking as any traditional mind sport. The pressure of real stakes only adds another layer of complexity. It’s a constant test of focus emotional control and decision-making and those who master those elements consistently rise to the top.
 
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