Poker - A Game Of Chance or Skill?

The poker world was faced with a serious question of whether poker is a game of skill or chance. The British court had to deliberate on this issue in 2007. 

The question, is poker a game of chance or skill? The argument has gone on for years. A British national was charged with running an illegal gambling joint; the accused presented the argument that since poker was a game of skill he did not need a license according to British law.

After much deliberation the court ruled that poker is a game of chance and the private club owner was thus found guilty of illegally running a gambling den. 

This case caught the attention of the public and highlighted the age old question of whether poker is a game of skill or chance. The legal status on this question differs from place to place, however the correct answer to this vexed question will help clear a few doubts the world over where such gambling laws are ambiguous. 

People answer very differently when asked if poker is a game of chance or skill. Professional poker players who have spent considerable amount of time playing this game will emphatically state that poker is a game of skill. However, one can't over look the fact that a significant amount of luck plays an important role in the outcome of the game, a fact not liked by the professional players. Those who are unaware of the rules of poker or have never played it will easily classify poker as a gamble along with games such as blackjack, roulette etc.

They believe that the odds are always stacked in favor of the house and the outcome is decided by probability rather than skill of the player. Even if we accept this argument for a moment the question remains as to why poker tournaments are held regularly like many other sporting disciplines.

Why are no lottery tournaments held? Just a cursory glance at the World Series of Poker will show that one individual has won the tournament more than once. If we accept the argument that poker is just like a lottery, then these people should be considered extremely lucky. However, the fact remains that these individuals won more than once only because they were the most skillful players around. 

Most people tend to argue that even an amateur is likely to win a round of poker with a professional. But if the same amateur were to play a series of games with the professional, it is clear that the professional will emerge a clear cut winner. This also happens in many other sports where the underdog team beats the world champions.

This does not mean that the underdog team has suddenly become world beaters or they have suddenly acquired skills to beat the best in the world. If such a team were to play a series of matches with the champion side they would certainly languish at the bottom of the points table.

The same can be said of poker. However, it cannot be construed that chance has no place in poker. Poker is in fact a game in which chances of winning and the skills of a player both play a part.

Hence, it is difficult to place poker in the gambling category and label it. It surely depends on your perception.

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