Why is skill the question?

[YoureToast]

With all the threads re: the hearing today, this is a bit out of place, but I just keep asking myself this question and there must be a good answer. Help me out so I can move on.

Why is there so much focus on whether poker is a skill game? Rather, shouldn't the distinction be made between games played against the "house" and games in which the "house" simply provides a mechanism for consenting adults to play a gambling game?

Wouldn't the answer to that question get us to where we really need to be? That is that games such as blackjack and craps, which have a house edge and which pit the player against the house directly, are "bad" gambling games in which the "house" is taking advantage of the unbeknownst player. Whereas games like poker, backgammon and sports betting are games in which the house is providing a service to allow others to battle against each other? (Yes, I know that you could argue sports betting falls into the former category, but it is more like a market than a battle between you and the book).

[Grasshopp3r]

The emphasis on the skill definition is due to the fact that many of the gambling laws use that as a test to determine their applicability. If we win the skill test, we are not gambling.

Also, while sports books should be neutral and just make the vig, they do not in practice.

[autobet]

[ QUOTE ]
That is that games such as blackjack and craps, which have a house edge and which pit the player against the house directly, are "bad" gambling games in which the "house" is taking advantage of the unbeknownst player.

[/ QUOTE ]

The biggest state run house game, the lottery, rakes 44-50% and take in over 35 billion across the country. No politician seems to mind if you lose your house playing the lotto or in a land based casino. In fact, the Indian tribes were granted the right to offer their own online gambling operations as part of the UGIEA.

The skill factor is important because games like bridge and spades are played for money online because they are games of skill. This is important because poker may receive a similar exemption down the road.

[YoureToast]

[ QUOTE ]


Also, while sports books should be neutral and just make the vig, they do not in practice.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know this, but in effect they have become markets in practice. I'd argue Pinnacle is a market. Certainly, Matchbook and Tradesports are markets. I think the effect of the internet on sportsbooks is essentially to take away the "other" edges good books used to have.