Is Playing Magic Gambling?

[Sagemaster]

Would you guys consider playing draft or fnm or sealed to be gambling? My parents seem to think it does...but by their logic I would say the stock market is gambling

[Leviathan]

Hardly... You keep the cards you draft whether you win or lose. If money cards matter to you than draft the money cards. If you lose you still walk away with 3 packs worth of physical cards. I'd say the stock market is a HUGE gamble lol.

[Rass]

It's a form of gambling. The extra money goes for the packs people win.

[Sagemaster]

It's a form of gambling. The extra money goes for the packs people win.

What about when the draft costs $10 and there are no prizes? And by that logic isn't the stock market gambling?

[Milo109]

Everything could be considered gambling. Mtg is a game you pay money to play that you can win prizes at. It's like a carnival game

[Sagemaster]

Anyone else have an opinion on the topic?

[Kuberr]

During alpha and beta they used to play for antes. Some cards would have to have antes or you had to take them out of the deck.

[BlackJester]

FNM on drafts aren't gambling anymore than other competitive events. You pay to enter a 3 on 3 B-ball tourney. You play to win the prizes.
Gambling means you place money on "random" events (horse races, poker games, slot machines) in hopes of gaining money.  It's not about skill, but luck (poker bends this rule a bit)
Magic tourneys require an admission fee and that's it. You cant keep "betting" hoping to win more, like you could in poker.

Also, with drafting and sealed, you are effectively buying the cards and then competing for prizes with them.

[Piotr]

Would you guys consider playing draft or fnm or sealed to be gambling? My parents seem to think it does...but by their logic I would say the stock market is gambling

Stock market is gambling by normal logic too

[Rass]

It's a form of gambling. The extra money goes for the packs people win.

What about when the draft costs $10 and there are no prizes? And by that logic isn't the stock market gambling?

When there is nothing at stake then no I wouldn't consider it gambling. 

Stock market has nothing to do with this topic. But I do think that is gambling too.

[BlackJester]

I don't think I'd consider buying and selling things that vary in price technically "gambling".  It has the same feeling of gambling, especially day trading, but there are forces that influence stock prices that can be taken into consideration.  I don't think that Wall Street brokers need to seek counseling for a gambling addiction.

[Sagemaster]

I don't think I'd consider buying and selling things that vary in price technically "gambling".  It has the same feeling of gambling, especially day trading, but there are forces that influence stock prices that can be taken into consideration.  I don't think that Wall Street brokers need to seek counseling for a gambling addiction.

I agree but I'm just saying by my parents logic it's the same. My dad buys and sells stocks which was why I brought it up.

[Rass]

I don't think I'd consider buying and selling things that vary in price technically "gambling".  It has the same feeling of gambling, especially day trading, but there are forces that influence stock prices that can be taken into consideration.  I don't think that Wall Street brokers need to seek counseling for a gambling addiction.

When rolling dice there are things to take into consideration or playing cards.

Lol I know some traders who should seek help.

[DirtyMustachio]

The only aspect of gambling is when you buy packs, and get addicted to trying to pull what you want and don't stop

[BlackJester]

The only aspect of gambling is when you buy packs, and get addicted to trying to pull what you want and don't stop

Maybe, but even then you are buying something, you have something to show for your expenses.  You walk into a casino and things don't go your way, you got nothing (well, maybe some comp'ed food and drinks, but probably not worth hundreds of dollars that you may have dropped.)