Are poker tournaments illegal in states where there is no legal ring?

[Fraubump]

If so, why? What differentiates it from other types of tourneys where people pay entry fees and are awarded prizes: golf, tennis, bowling, chess, etc.? I used to play on the tournament scrabble circuit. We paid to play; got money if we placed high enough. Seems the same to me.

[The WET BEAVER]

Bowling, tennis, and chess are considered games of skill. Some legislatures erroneously believe that poker is not a game of skill.

[Insp. Clue!So?]

Dunno, do you live in a free country? Or the US?

Ask thineself, "what kind of weird alien mind potion has taken over the country that we have to ask ourselves such questions, in fear of nanny government?"

Is this the sort of question a person in a free country would ask? Isn't it time we started living that "land of the free, home of the brave" crap we mouth? Well maybe it ain't, and if GW Bush and the rest of American's social busy bodies (you'll find them everywhere, but the GOP machinery has been taken over by lordy-lordies looking to bully down their narrow ideas of what freedom means...pace drugs, pace government surveillance, pace marriage between adults) thinks your ass don't need to gamble online then just shut up and pray he don't bust you for thinking evil thoughts.