01/03/2011, Poker Tournaments

The Swedish Supreme Court of Justice has begun the hearing in a case that will decide whether poker is a game of skill or luck. The Court is reviewing a case in which four men were convicted of arranging an illegal tournament in 2007. The tournament took place in a town in western Sweden and it involved 700 entrants.

In 2008, two of the men who were convicted of arranging the tournament were sentenced to six and eight months of jail respectively, whilst two others were fined the equivalent of 80 days pay. A year later, the Court of Appeal reduced charges on the theory that poker is a game based on skill rather than luck and overturned the initial sentence. The final decision will be reviewed by the Supreme Court of Justice this week.

It seems like the judges were given a briefing on poker playing by a poker expert who used audio and visual aids and showed skill and judgement have a significant role in the game. “Courage, patience, experience, mathematical and psychological knowledge are some important characteristics”.

Erik Broman, a doctor of mathematics from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg stated that the random chance only comes when the first card is being dealt. “After the first card, skill is what matters. It's about how one reacts in different situations, bets, and calls. A little advantage in the start of the game can lead to greater dividends in the end,” he said.

According to dr. Broman, the chances of winning money from poker are absolutely non-existent if the player doesn't know the game.
“A talented player has a greater chance of winning than a less talented player,” he added.

In June 2010 the Swiss Highest Court has ruled that poker was a game of chance and placed it in the same category as the state lottery and slot machines.