Is Poker the new Golf?
For many years now the sport of choice for networking CEOs has been golf, but the tables seem to be turning.
A recent survey carried out has revealed that 65% of top tier executives (CEOs) would rather play poker than golf. When asked why poker over golf: 73% stated the thrill of winning, 20% stated enjoying the competition and 7% stated networking.
In fact it has become so popular that there is even a new tournament exclusively for CEOs – CEO Poker, where CEOs will battle it out for Chairman of Poker title at The Palms in Las Vegas, October 22nd-26th.
“Poker is definitely the new golf,” says Maria Gomez, President of CEO Poker. “If you are a woman or man you can compete in the game. It is a level playing field, and only your ability to bluff, fold and win, separates the men from the boys. Another reason poker is so popular among CEOs is the game itself. There is an element of constant danger that CEOs thrive on, where you can go out on any one hand.”
A testament to the popularity of poker is that over 300 CEOs have already applied for the CEO poker tour after only being launched 10 days ago.
“Thanks to the popularity of poker on television, poker is so hot right now among CEOs,” commented Gomez. “They see professional poker players doing what they do every day analyze the odds, review all the options, and make split second decisions. CEOs are naturals at poker.
“Poker is both math and instinct, and CEOs understand the bottom line and the odds,” says Gomez. “But knowing the numbers is not enough, they have to know how to read people, something they do every day in the boardroom.”