Is Poker Gambling?: Sklansky vs. Miller, Sklansky & Malmuth 2

[Luhroy]

In <u>The Theory of Poker</u> Sklanksy says that when you "try to make the play that will mazimizwe your positive expectation or minimize your negative expectation in order to maximize your hourly rate...you should realize that what you are doing is earning. You are no longer gambling in the traditional sense" (pp. 14-15). But in Small Stakes Hold 'em Miller, Sklansky &amp; Malmuth say, "Poker is gambling" (p. 19, their italics). This wouldn't seem like such a contradiction to me if they had not ended the very next paragraph with the reminder that, "With every decision [expert poker players] strive to maximize their overall expectation" (p. 19, thier italics). Am I missing something, and what does Sklansky mean by gambling in the tradtional sense?

[Matt G]

Traditional sense, as in table games like craps (games you can't beat)