The sport of poker has now been acknowledged by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), a Berlin-based group based in 2005 to “unite different mind sports federations to pursue common aims and interests.”
For many poker gamers and followers, the popularity could appear a little bit late to the celebration contemplating the strategic resolution making concerned with the sport. But the IMSA recognition provides the World Poker Federation to the affiliation’s different acknowledged thoughts sports activities together with chess, mahjong, esports, and different card video games.
“With a strong network of federations across more than 49 countries, we have achieved something today that is both unprecedented and definitive,” WPF President Igor Trafane mentioned. “IMSA’s decision represents the dedication of thousands who view poker as a genuine profession and intellectual discipline. Our mission now is to build the foundation that every major sport already has: standardized regulations, professional pathways, player protections, and international competitions.”
Poker Seen As Strategic, Intellectual Game
The effort to hitch IMSA started in December 2022, when the WPF was accepted as a provisional member. The IMSA now makes observe of poker as a self-discipline combining mind, strategic considering, and decision-making below strain.
WPF organizers consider IMSA membership will elevate the sport, offering extra recognition and alternatives for gamers on an expanded worldwide stage. Additional stability and progress throughout the business can be a objective.
“Our focus is on building a true global sports structure for Poker,” federation CEO Leonardo Cavarge mentioned. “The World Poker Federation was built on the belief that, by joining forces, we can amplify our impact and protect the game we love.”
To commemorate the milestone, the WPF hosted a celebration and particular event in São Paulo, Brazil, throughout the Brazilian Series of Poker. The occasion introduced collectively figures from the world of poker, sports activities, and tradition together with: former Real Madrid soccer star Marcelo Vieira; Tamires, captain of the Brazilian girls’s nationwide soccer workforce; tennis participant Bruno Soares; MMA fighter Anderson dos Santos; and Latin American boxing champion Lila Furtado.
*Photos courtesy of World Poker Federation