Poker club owner busted

[Touring Mars]

A man has been found guilty of contravening the Gaming Act by hosting poker games without a licence. Article...

However, you do not need such a licence if the game is a game of skill, like chess, as opposed to a game of luck, such as roulette. Obviously, poker involves both elements of skill and luck, but I've always found it strange that a good poker player always seems to get more good luck than anyone else...

Also, if poker is a game of luck, how is it possible (indeed common) that you can win a game without even showing your cards?? By far the most common variant of poker would have to be Texas Hold 'Em, where the only difference between player's hands is the two cards they get dealt face down at the start of the game. Other games, such as 5-card stud, involve only one 'unique' card per player - yet even in these stud variants, a good player can win the game without having to reveal their cards at all (by getting the other players to fold before the showdown by skillful betting)...

Has this been a miscarriage of justice??

 

[1X83Z]

Has this been a miscarriage of justice??

Probably. In most U.S. states in which gaming is not legal, they still allow poker, etc. to be played under the stipulation that the person running the game doesn't make a profit and that it's "among friends."

Perhaps the U.K. could adopt such a thing.

 

[Mark T]

As a Texas Hold'em player there is a huge amount skill involved. Noticing tells (peoples actions) and bluffing requires so much skill. Luck also plays a huge part. If you don't get the good hands then you'll probably fold them.

I think he should be prosecuted.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I think he should be prosecuted.

This wasn't just a friendly game between a few mates, he was charging people to enter and taking a cut of the winnings. That's business like.