(Graphic) Why Poker Should Be Considered a Game of Skill

While poker may seem obviously a game of skill to some, those who oppose the expansion of the game believe quite the opposite.  The argument isn't simply academic; whether poker is a game dominated by skill or by chance is a question with serious legal implications.  Unfortunately, more governments than not consider poker to be a game of chance, and therefore a gambling activity often forbidden by law.

In the graphic below, we argue that poker is, in fact, a game of skill and should be treated as such for legal purposes.  Click on the image for a larger version, and scroll to the bottom for sources & citations.  

Graphic: Chris Grove (@OPReport)

Use the code below to embed this image on your site

<a href="http://instantpokermoney.com/"><img src="http://instantpokermoney.com/images/misc/poker-skill-game-thumb.jpg" alt="Why Poker Should be Considered a Game of Skill" /></a>

Visit the Poker Player's Alliance for more information on what you can do to advance the cause of regulated poker.

Sources

Research

• Michael A. DeDonno and Douglas K. Detterman. Gaming Law Review. February 2008, 12(1): 31-36.
• Steven D. Levitt, Thomas J. Miles. The Role of Skill Versus Luck in Poker: Evidence from the World Series of Poker.  May 2011.
• Rachel Croson, Peter Fishman and Devin G. Pope. Poker superstars: Skill or luck? Similarities between golf—thought to be a game of skill—and poker. CHANCE, 2008, Volume 21, Number 4, Pages 25-28.
• Copy of Cigital study (2009)

Skill Games

• First Move Advantage in Chess

Court Decisions

• William E. Baxter Jr. v. United States
• I. Nelson Rose. Sweden Gets it Mostly Right.  June 2011.
• Julio Rodriguez.  French Court Rules Poker is a Game of Skill.  CardPlayer.  August 2nd, 2011.
• Brendan Murray.  Dutch Court Rules Poker a Skill Game. CardPlayer. July 5th, 2010.

Good Players Win More Often

• Serkules statistics from SharkScope.com

 

Check out all our No Deposit Poker offers