Is playing poker for money a sin?

SummertimeBlues · #1 Sep 9, '11, 7:51 am

These are just casual games, but they're for a small amount of money, like $20 max. It's not competitive. Just some friends getting together and having some fun once in a while. So it's more like entertainment - and networking - than gambling. Would something like this be considered a sin?

Em_in_FL · #2 Sep 9, '11, 7:57 am

Catechism says:

2413
Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant.

Not sure if this is the only section in the CCC that discusses this issue... there may be more...
HTH!

Aelred Minor · #3 Sep 9, '11, 9:44 am

Another way it might be a sin is if it's illegal where you are.

SummertimeBlues · #4 Sep 9, '11, 4:31 pm

OK, I just came back from a poker game. I actually won 6 bucks. Based on the Catechism quote from Em_in_FL, I'm inclined to think that $6 is not going to deprive someone of his/her needs. So hopefully that means that this particular case does not constitute a sin.

And the poker game was sponsored by a school club, so I'm assuming it's legal.

Thank you for the replies.

Mommyof02green · #5 Sep 10, '11, 5:33 am

The only thing that came to mind was the PRIEST a few years ago that was given permission to play poker for the chance to win 1 million dollars for this parish. I was thinking if he was allowed to do it, by his bishop, there must not be anything wrong with the game and playing itself.

As other said when gambling, playing cards, get in the way of the player from being able to care for their family and responsibilities it becomes an issue.