If poker is a sport, should there be drug testing?

[PursuitofPlay]

Obviously there are some drugs that can give an edge to a pro poker player. Stimulants for longevity, amphetamines for focus, anesthetics for covering tells. Should there be a enforced standard for those competing in the top poker events?

[azreal1]

in any event, that is organised competition where there is cash to be won, anything that gives the player an unfair illegal advantage should have something done about it, the problem is that ud have to limit the drug testing to the large events only

[PatrickKn]

Poker's more of a table game as opposed to a sport. I've never thought of it as a sport.

Imagine someone taking down a poker tournament at a casino and the casino telling the player that he tested positive for marijuana after winning, so his winnings are null. It's pretty silly. Even with large events like the WSOP players can drink while playing if they choose. It's not a game that needs drug testing at the slightest, and I'm sure plenty of sober players would prefer their competition to be less than clear minded anyway.

It's apples and oranges. Steroids in cycling and Baseball? That's bad, and gives players an unfair advantage without a doubt. Amphetamines during a poker game? I'd rather be sober, lol.

[azreal1]

Poker's more of a table game as opposed to a sport. I've never thought of it as a sport.

Imagine someone taking down a poker tournament at a casino and the casino telling the player that he tested positive for marijuana after winning, so his winnings are null. It's pretty silly. Even with large events like the WSOP players can drink while playing if they choose. It's not a game that needs drug testing at the slightest, and I'm sure plenty of sober players would prefer their competition to be less than clear minded anyway.

It's apples and oranges. Steroids in cycling and Baseball? That's bad, and gives players an unfair advantage without a doubt. Amphetamines during a poker game? I'd rather be sober, lol.

u seem to be focusing on pot...different drugs have different effects...and do give the player an unfair advantage

[eqgh5uea]

I'd rather be sober!

[ExamOver]

No, You pay to get in...

[PatrickKn]

Where do you draw the line I suppose? Does the guy who has ADD get to take his prescription adderall the day of the tournament, while the guy taking amphetamines without a script gets drug tested? Does the guy who did cocaine a week ago get his winnings and titles nulled because he came up positive? Is there a strict no drinking policy before the tournament?

It just sounds rather silly to me. If I was an Olympic runner and someone who beat me had been doping, I'd be pissed and call him out on it, try to get him stripped of his title. BUT, If I'm in a big stakes poker tournament and someone took some mood stabilizers and some stimulants and beat me, I would have to just deal with it and try to tighten my game up a bit. I wouldn't be too hard pressed to say he had an unfair advantage beyond anything reasonable.

[jrs015]

Obviously there are some drugs that can give an edge to a pro poker player. Stimulants for longevity, amphetamines for focus, anesthetics for covering tells. Should there be a enforced standard for those competing in the top poker events?

By your logic, Botox should be illegal for poker players?

[PokeYourFace]

poker isnt a sport

poker is a skill, one in which drug testing isnt needed

[DocHo11idaze]

Nope, NBA players dont get drug tested for THC(no offence not like thats confirming or denying a sterotype) but no. Think Stu Ungar