We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

My girlfriend likes to call poker "gambling". I like to think of it as "a skill game played for money".

When I use the word "gambling", I think of the house having an edge (like our national lottery in Canada where they only pay out 45% of what they bring in), or betting on completely random events (coin flips, a ball landing on 8 black).

Does anyone else differentiate between poker and "gambling"?

Re: We need a new wold for \"gambling\"
 

Whats a "wold"?

Re: We need a new wold for \"gambling\"
 

"Wold" is me accidentally typing the word "world" and deleting the wrong letter. Thanks for catching that.

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

Your examples don't really prove your point. The house does have an edge in poker, as the house will win money on every pot with no opportunity for the player to get it back. Poker is also betting on random events (the outcome of the cards). Poker is both a game of gambling (read: luck) AND a game of skill.

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

Poker is gambling. Why call it anything else? People who call poker gambling in a derogatory way dont understand what gambling really is. They just know that the house always wins, so you should stay away from gambling. Honestly, this is good advice. Lots of people lose at craps and lots of people lose at poker. Poker is probably worse because its easy to get fooled that you can win. Your girlfriend probably thinks you are going to lose lots of money at poker, and you probably will.

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

...but poker has the skill element. Roulette, keno, slots, the lottery and betting which bird will fly off the fence first have nothing to do with skill.

Plus if you play without the house taking a cut...that part is rendered moot.

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

Poker is gambling. Some forms of gambling do not allow you to make bets with a positive expectation, and some forms do. Poker, fortunately, is of the second variety.

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

How about a new word for "girlfriend" instead?

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

nh

Re: We need a new word for \"gambling\"
 

The problem is not with the word "gambling" but people's understanding of the word.

"Gambling" is bad.
"Gambling" will always cost you money.
"Gambling" is never a smart thing to do.

I would say that most people in America believe those three things (or at least hte last two).

Gambling is simply putting money on an event or series of events where the outcome is not guaranteed. It should be an umbrella term to cover +EV and -EV.

All casino games (craps, roullette, slots) are gambling but really really bad -EV gambles. Whereas blackjack can be a +EV game (if played VERY well) and poker can be a +EV game if played just ok and a HUUUUUGGGE +EV game if played very well.