The age-old debate regarding the question of whether poker is a game of skill or luck comes to South Carolina’s Supreme Court this week. The Court Justices are set to rule on the matter after hearing arguments in the case regarding a lower-court’s ruling that Texas Hold ‘em is in fact a game of skill.
An appeal on the Charleston judge’s ruling brought the case as far as the Supreme Court and poker players in the state – and nationally – are eyeing the outcome with interest.
The case came to light last year after Circuit Judge Markley Dennis ruled that a private game of poker in a residential home did not violate the state’s gambling laws. Five people had been arrested in Mount Pleasant and charged by the police for holding poker games in a state which expressly forbids this type of gambling. However, the judge argued that poker is a game of skill as more skilled players win than non-skilled players. He also said that since practicing improves the player’s game, this was also a sign that poker is a game of skill. The charges against the five were thus dropped.
However, this controversial ruling was appealed by Attorney General Henry McMaster and, as said, the case has reached the Supreme Court. The judges are set to give their opinion in due time.
Efforts have been made to introduce laws in South Carolina that would not make it an offence to play friendly poker games in private homes, however these have stalled in the legislative pipeline with little hope of advancing in the near future.
Also in recent Federal developments the Poker Players Alliance has said the online poker in the US may be 2-10 years away. Sites like Poker Stars and Bodog will continue to wait patiently (and continue to rake in the dough) while the government makes up their mind.
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