For a long time, casuals and regulars debated whether poker was a game or a sport, and there was no agreement. Last week, the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) held a meeting where a vote was held on whether poker should join chess, bridge, and others as the mind sport. The vote ended in favor, and poker became the mind sport as it requires skill, strategy, and focus.
“We have achieved something today that is both unprecedented and definitive. Our mission now is to build the foundation that every major sport already has: standardized regulations, professional pathways, player protections, and international competitions. The World Poker Federation was built on the belief that, by joining forces, we can amplify our impact and protect the game we love,” said WPF (World Poker Federation) President Igor Trafane.
What is This Going To Change?
Poker players will have more credibility and be presented as athletes, not gamblers. Countries like Colombia will change their perspective on poker and start to invest in and grow the game. The whole industry will be more structured and on a path to growth.
This will also attract more sponsors and mainstream media to poker, further growing the sport and making it more transparent.
World Poker Federation also posted on their X account: “Poker is officially and forever recognized as a Mind Sport by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA). This milestone marks a new era for the game we all love.”
