Pennsylvania Court Rules Poker a Game of Skill
- Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 6:48
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Poker a game of skill
A judge in Pennsylvania recently handed down a decision that poker is a game of skill and not luck. The ruling came from a dismissed case against a person that was thrown in jail simply for hosting a poker game. The decision also adds to the mounting evidence that the element of the skill game of poker is a big factor in whether or not online poker will become legal in the United States.
County Judge Thomas A. James, who had dismissed the case against the defendant Walter Watkins, handed down the decision. Police raided Mr. Watkins’ poker game after the game was attended by a state trooper from Pennsylvania. The game did not have any rake involved, but tips were encouraged for the dealers in the game. One of the dealers was also charged, but his case was also dismissed.
In the issued decision Judge James cited the many poker books that are available, among other various factors, as the main proof that poker is a game of skill. James stated, “Simply, if chance predominates, Texas Hold’em is gambling. If skill predominates, it is not gambling.” Later, James closed with, “It is apparent that skill predominates over chance in Texas Hold’em poker.”
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