Judge Rules Poker Is A Game Of Skill Not Chance

A South Carolina judge ruled yesterday that poker was a game of skill and not chance. In his judgement, Mount Pleasant Municipal Judge Larry Duffy, said that there was "overwhelming" evidence that Texas Hold 'em poker is a game of skill.

Under a South Carolina law dating back to 1802, any game involving cards or dice is illegal because it is a game of chance. The 5 men at the center of the case were arrested back in April 2006, when their house was raided by local police because they were participating in a Texas Hold'em tournament.

The 5 men were still found gulity of operating a gambling house and were ordered to pay a fine. The defendants intend to appeal their guilty verdict.

Following the ruling, John Pappas the PPA Executive Director, said: "It's becoming quite clear the legal community agrees that this great American pastime is a game of predominant skill, not luck, and should not be considered gambling under the law."