[Skallagrim]

I will wait to formally comment until I can read the actual opinion.

At this point I will say 2 things:

1) There is still one more level of appeal.

2) Judges are often motivated by things other than the facts in front of them (despite what they say).

I will also say that if this ruling stands players in North Carolina, even internet players, even "home game with the buddies no rake" players, are now criminals (misdemeanor offense). And that is why the whole skill v. chance argument is so important. If we players lose that argument, the DOJ and/or state authorities will come after us, one way or another. SO STOP SAYING "LUCK IN THE SHORT RUN, SKILL IN THE LONG RUN." YOU ARE ONLY GIVING OUR ENEMIES AMUNITION.

Poker is mostly skill, period. Even in one hand, the cards will dictate the outcome less than 1/2 the time. Its what you do with your cards that decides who wins and looses most of the time. Chance only determines the outcome when there is a showdown and the worst hand gets lucky and wins. And that happens less than 1/2 the time.

Skallagrim

PS - Right on, Outraced, you, unlike the judges and the "this argument sucks" crowd get it.