GUTSHOT: Court Case

[ripple11]

I think if Derek Kelly loses this case, he's gonna do a bunk and get involved in the Spanish poker scene down Marbella way.

Fantastic !!.......Pokers own Ronnie Biggs

[Div]

It will be interesting to follow this to see how the skill, chance, or 'mixed skill and chance' debate goes.

I doubt anyone can deny there's an element of chance in any single game of poker, but you could say the same about many other activities which are clearly not gambling.

For example, Wycombe drew with Chelsea last night. Now, that doesn't mean they are of equal skill. Put Wycome in the EPL and over the season, Chelsea will undoubtedly get many more points than them.

Equally put me in a heads up SNG with Phil Ivey, and I might win, put me in a series of 1000 SNG and he will destroy me. So is poker a game of chance - because I'm bound to win a few - or is it a game of skill, because over 1000 he will almost certainly win?

I wonder if the court case will put a legal definition on that mythical poker phrase - the long term.

[KingPoker]

I fell out with my gf last night coz she couldnt understand how poker could be based on skill. The most she would accept was that it was at most 10% skil, 90% luck.
Im afraid thats how most of the public feels about it. I really hate ignorance!!!!!

[Bongo]

As Div says - the luck/skill factor will change over time, most people will look at a hand, see anyone can win and decide it's all luck.

[da_poker_monkey]

When I play there is definitely no skill involved, so if I get called up by the prosecution I think the argument that "it's a skill game" may not hold up.

[kinboshi]

Sorry, I know I should probably go and read the details somewhere, but I thought I'd ask the knowledgable folks on here (Kev you can answer too if you want).

Is the crux of the whole case based on whether poker is a game of skill or chance?

If so, I'm guessing the gambling law includes exceptions for the lottery and bingo?

Are the defence bringing any 'expert witnesses' to the trial.  The presence of a 'professional player' would be interesting.  The fact that someone who is skilled at poker can make money surely emphasises the skill aspect?  Also, they should bring in all the poker strategy books they can find, and let the jury have a read.  Then they can not only decide if the game is based on skill or just pure luck, but can also offer their opinion on the Harrington books...

[tantrum]

They are prosecuted under few different sections of Gaming Act 1968, so the question of poker as a game of chance is only one of them