n light of recent developments in the laws regarding online gaming in the United States, a recent study by doctorate students in the United States could be of great worth.

Since the crackdown and the subsequent ramifications of the UIGEA laws, poker players and fans have been trying to convince law makers that poker does not fit into the definitions of the laws.

UIGEA and related laws have cracked down on games of chance, but poker fans have been saying for years that poker is not a game of chance, but rather one of great skill. 

A student from Case Western Reserve University, has performed a study that aimed to prove just that – whether poker was a game of luck, skill, or both. Michael DeDonno has managed to rule in favor of the poker fans and claimed the game is indeed, one of skill. Through two poker-related studies, DeDonno wrote an article that explains why the game is one of skill and not luck or chance. 

DeDonno found that the game of poker becomes one of skill when players make choices of when to fold their hands or not. At this critical point in the game, when players make the choice whether to fold or not, is the epitome of skill, DeDonno claims. 

The subjects that DeDonno used for his study were players who did not have much previous knowledge of the game but were guided by charts and strategy cards. An interesting point to note, is that most of the participants in the study were certain that poker was more a game of luck, before they started playing the game.   

DeDonno wrote that “if it had been pure luck in winning, then the strategies would not have made a difference for the two groups.” He found that players who used the strategy charts and who were given some hints, did better than those who did not use these methods. 

DeDonno’s study once again puts the spotlight on the debate that has been going on for years surrounding this issue. Politicians from both sides of the fence have been arguing this point since the laws went into affect and many more studies of this sort are needed before a conclusive decision can be drawn.