Poker is the Next Olympic Sport
It was
inevitable. The evolution of poker has made it a worldwide game.
From a game that began, by most accounts, in France and moved to
the fledgling United States in New Orleans and the "wild west" of
yore, poker is now a game that transfixes the globe. In 2005, there
are two interesting websites nlfreeroll and poker-bookclub presented the
idea that poker should be an Olympic sport. Now most would scoff at
that, but I would have to say...why not? These two poker websites
will be an Olympic event in the future.
A recent
review of the list of recognized sports is a sobering look at what
other activities are considered to be Olympic-worthy. Bowling,
bridge, chess, dance, golf and even Tug of War are all officially
recognized by the International Olympic Committee. When you take a
look at some of the sports on this recognized list, as well as some
of the sports that are actively in the Games, you realize that you
are not looking at "physical" being part of the criteria.
The Professional Poker Tour is a step towards removing
the amateur from the equation. From a stringent qualification
guideline, you have the best professionals in the game, and from
around the world, battling each other for the prize, with no buy-in
for the players to risk to be in the tournament. As the Tour is
only in its infancy, it remains to be seen what will be its
eventual outcome.
Why not take this concept one
step further? For lack of a better term, let"s call it "The
Olympiad of Poker." Each nation would send its best players, with a
maximum of four for each nation"s team. The competition would not
be limited to just the No-Limit game, either; all disciplines, from
Razz to SHOE, Five and Seven Card, and the rest (around ten events,
by my count) would have representation and be tested. Medals could
be awarded to the top three, just like the Olympics, as well as the
cash prizes. If you don"t medal, you don"t earn any of the spoils
of the gods. You could also recognize the nation that did the best,
the individual who is the overall champion of the event, and I am
sure a multitude of other things.
Maybe one day
we will see it: Marcel Luske, carrying the flag of the Netherlands
to the final table. Humberto Brenes waving the banner of Costa Rica
as he takes a medal. Amir Vahedi, either carrying the flag of his
birthplace, Iran, or his adopted home of America. David "The
Devilfish" Ulliot proudly displaying the Union Jack and hearing
"God Save The Queen" as he accepts his first place check and
Olympic gold medal.
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