Is poker gambling?

[ericmalone]

Greetings,
Just wondering your thoughts on this...

What is gambling?

Is poker gambling?

What makes poker a game of skill?

Does the fact that poker is a game of skill change anything?

Do tournaments have less of a "gambling factor" than cash games?

What are ways to get around poker as gambling? (to make it NOT gambling)


Thanks a lot guys, post any and all thoughts.

[soah]

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Do tournaments have less of a "gambling factor" than cash games?

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lol

[Backspin20]

You can find this topic covered extensivly in the Poker legislation fourm and porb. the theory fourm as well.

[ericmalone]

Sorry for the redundancy

[ZeuFreak]

50/50

[thing85]

You ask some legitimate questions, but as pointed out, this probably isn't the best forum in which to ask them. Also, don't be surprised if people give you stupid answers.

[boohaa12]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holdem

[Josem]

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What is gambling?

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Risking something for a potential gain. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling

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Is poker gambling?

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Yes. Without a doubt.

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What makes poker a game of skill?

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The fact that the decisions you make has a real effect on your long term expected outcome.

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Does the fact that poker is a game of skill change anything?

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Nothing substantial.... I don't know what you mean.

A skill game and a gambling game are not mutually exclusive.

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Do tournaments have less of a "gambling factor" than cash games?

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I don't think there are varying degrees of something being gambling - The definition from wikipedia, and any useful definition, is a binary situation - it is either gambling, or it is not. Something can't be half gambling.

I think, however, you're trying to ask about the variance of each game, and that varies according to the format of the game, the style of the game, the rules of the game, and the payout structure of the game. In STTs, someone (Irieguy?) proved that one standard deviation was almost always 1.9 as a result of a .5/.3/.2 payout structure. The search function will help you find that post if you genuinely care.

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What are ways to get around poker as gambling? (to make it NOT gambling)

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Uh - I don't think it's possible in any meaningful way.

I guess you could play the game with all the cards face up, including those that are yet to come, and have a pre-determined deal for each hand. I assume that would eliminate the gambling aspect of it.

Alternatively, most people would not consider it to be gambling if there was no monetary value at stake, so you could have a "free" game of poker with 0/0 blinds.


On the other hand, if you explain a little more about the situation that you want to know this informatio for, it may be possible to provide some alternative ideas. You're asking very direct questions, and are going to get a bunch of joke answers and a bunch of very direct answers.

If you provide more information, some more meaningful answers may be possible.


Also, similar discussions about poker as a game of skill are reasonably common in the legislation forum.

[thing85]

Okay Josem, you obviously did such a good job answering him to make me look like an idiot...

Truthfully, it sounds like this guy (OP) is trying to make the argument to someone (or trying to rationalize in his own mind) that poker isn't gambling. We've all had the "WTF you're a degenerate gambler" before from our friends and family. OP, just make sure you're a winning player and making lots of money, and no one will question you.

[Lawman]

The Gutshot Club in London argued against a prosecution on the basis that poker was a game of skill and therefore not subject to gambling legislation. They lost. So legally in the UK poker is gambling.