There's no sugar coating it. This is gambling. What is your point though? Everyone is well aware of this, and if not then now you are. However gambling on something like this sets limits. You cannot go into debt entering one tourney every two months. And rather then odds and luck, the winner is determined by skill. This is fair. A level playing field if you will. Without the casino's odds heavily weighing down to there advantage. This type of gambling eliminates everything corrupt and wrong with gambling today.

And you say this Net shit is supposed "to be fun." Are you saying with the element of money being existent, its less fun? I think it increases the proverbial "fun factor" by ten fold. Two dollars won't make or break anyone's piggy bank. And brings tons of enjoyment and competition in exchange. In addition this tournament is completely optional. If the money proposed is too much, or you find gambling intolerable by all means don't join. But don't come in here and discourage those of which who show interest in this idea. All you did above was state the obvious. Everyone is well aware what they are doing. Save the moral lessons for Oprah.

Now in your reply you said "this is just a hobby." Well, I play basketball as "just a hobby." And always put a ten or two on a game...Does this make it a job rather then a hobby? No, it makes things interesting. I think your strict, conservative upbringing has diminished all enjoyment present in your life. For you to come in here acting as a mother figure is completely outrageous. A high school teen giving life lessons on something he has never experienced or participated in. The case of the kettle calling the pot black? ha

As for the portion of pot that will not be going to the winner will only compensate the amount spent/lost on server fees each and every month that you all to often take for granted.