Is poker gambling?

[JaredL]

Skall,

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My personal opinion is "gambling" is wagering on future events subject to an element of chance and not under the wagerer's control or influence. That makes poker NOT gambling (of course we influence the outcome at poker), but that is just my opinion as to the best way to use the word gambling.

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Interesting. Using this definition poker would indeed not be gambling and the obvious forms would be. The only thing it would exclude that most would consider gambling would be things like competitions. So if we're playing basketball, darts, bowling, playstation, or whatever and I bet you that I will win, most would consider that gambling but you wouldn't.

I personally would as well, though I could see not doing so.

edit: also office pools (March Madness, The Oscars, and so on) would be in some grey area - you aren't under control of which team/nominee actually win, but you win based on how accurately you pick them.