[PShabi]

You're examples do not hold up, TP. Yeah, I guess there's a "chance" that I could get involved in a car accident on the way to work. However, Lou isn't laying the forum 3:1 odds and then paying out bets according to whether or not I wrecked.

A nascar race, or baseball game do not involve wagering by the particpants. Well, at least they aren't supposed to.

Let me highlight Sklansky one more time:
"...poker is gambling. Anyone who says it's not or states that when he plays he doesn't gamble, does not understand poker as well as he should."

I can't believe you took that quote and tried to use it to defend your stance TP.

I haven't seen anyone say that poker is "MERELY" a game of chance. However, there is a significant amount of chance involved, and you are wagering.

Bottom line:

Chance helps determine unpredictable outcomes and there is WAGERING involved on those outcomes.

This is why poker is, was, and always will be gambling. You're other examples may also involve chance, but NONE OF THEM involve wagering. That's why I think they're bunk.

Please understand, no one supports a ban on online poker in here. However, the law is written and you are NEVER, EVER going to be able to go into a court and prove that poker is not gambling.