http://www.pokerplayernewspaper.com/viewarticle.php?id=1185

P-1 visa. Sweet!

How long is it good for?

(*edit: oops, just re-read the article.

Looks like you'll be here a while.)

Daniel is an alien? Now we know why he has uncanny poker ability. He arrived on Earth in a small vessel destined for Toronto, as the sole reamining survivor from the planet Pokatron. He now fights for justice by battling villainous poker players, such as Annie Duke and Sean Sheikan, and taking their earth dollars. One day he may have to save our universe, so be prepared Daniel, be prepared.

I think the definition of a sport has 2 key components. First it has to have competition at the core, which poker does. Second it has to be athletic, which poker is not. So no matter what the government says poker is not a sport, IMO.

The P-1 is also issued to artists, so the government could be saying that poker players are artists.

I don't personally think poker is a sport, but the US government recognizing it as one is still great for poker anyway I guess.

So, does this mean I work out 3 hours a day?

looks like we're making real progress now, its about time.....

Classic. What's next? An Olympic Poker event?

What gym do you play at?

you may not be far off with that

well if the US government says so, i'm certainly convinced.

Pokatron.

I am going to be the fatest athlete EVER!!!

I think Raymer has a few hundred pounds on you.

If there were an olympics for poker, imagine the situation where the headlines would read:

"Full house in 9.79 seconds! A new world record" and along comes all the sporting brands with a request to be a brand ambassador of their products!

But it's nice to see the government appreciating the fact that we poker fans also have to use our valuable time, brains and luck to win!

Yeah, well the US governement also considers a tomato to be a fruit but a bottle of ketchup to be a vegetable. So I wouldn't put too much stock in their opinion.

watch your mouth you stupid canadian.

ok, our govt is pretty stupid most times.

Why don't you come and shut it for me?

I bet you aren't even Mexican.

Does this make me an athlete?

A athletic? Not really but it is fun to read....

Just Because you Use Your Body Doe's Not Mean you Are Engaging in A Sport

Weighlifting is Not A Sport ... Excersising is Not A Sport ... Aerobic's is Not A Sport

Poker is A Sport Get it DumbAss

Competition weightlifting is a sport

Anywho, does anyone think that this article could be a base for reversing a ban on online poker? Obviously a sport is something that takes more skill than luck, even though luck is ever present (like in all sports) and therefore establishes poker as a skill game involving money rather than 'gambling'. Just a thought.

It sure would be nice if it was a "case" to have it turned around. It was an terrible ploy by an unscrupulous politician to have it attached to the law that did need to be passed.... If the President has any ballz..... he will line item veto it !!

"the occupation of athletes who compete for pay"

I dunno if I'd use the word 'sport'... it's just poker

That's the only way you can put it.

poker is by no means a sport the most exercise you get is throwing your cards to the muck, dont get me wrong i love poker but it is a SKILL GAME not a sport

there is a winner and a loser and strategy and skill-how else would you describe a sport? doesn't need to make you sweat

Whenever posed with this question I like to point to Pool and Darts. These are two things that most people would classify as sports, yet they require the similar level of physical acticity as poker does.

The winner of pool and darts is determined by the accuracy of the players' physical actions. (Whether you throw or aim accurately). There is no phyiscal aspect to poker that affects the outcome of the game. Witness the person in the WSOP who had no arms and played with his feet. Was he at a disadvantage in competing in the sport of poker? Should regular players play in the poker olympics and he in the poker paralympics? Poker is the same a chess, a game of mental strategy and skill only.

to me poker falls in the same line as chess. Is chess classified as a sport?

All this does is give lazy, heavy, and nerds an excuse to call themselves athletes.