Poker Recognized as Sport in Brazil

International Federation of Poker reports on the big event

An announcement came this week from the International Federation of Poker that the Brazilian Sports Ministry has officially acknowledged poker as a sport – a decision made at a private meeting with members of the Confederação Brasileira de Texas Hold'em (CBTH), which was then confirmed in government communications.

In its announcement, the Brazilian Sport’s ministry’s website stated:

“Poker is a competitive discipline, which requires the participant to have intelligence, ability, and intellectual and behavioural skills in order to succeed. The CBTH represents the most extended definition of poker, Texas Hold’em and all the other variants of this game including but not exclusively Omaha, Omaha High / Low, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud High / Low, Razz and Mixed Games.”

CBTH, which is now proclaimed the official poker authority in the country, was among the first member federations of the International Federation of Poker, and it is led by Igor Trafane, a reputable player, speaker and poker advocate.

This seems to be a great time for the rise of poker in Brazil, with the Brazilian Poker Tour getting near, with preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup under way, and the 2016 Olympic Games and World Mind games in sight.

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