Poker Ruled A Game Of Skill By Pennsylvania Judge

There has been an ongoing argument between poker players and law enforcement officials regarding house poker games. It is an argument that up until now the authorities have won.

The people that run the games feel they are not taking part in illegal activity because poker is a game of skill. The authorities feel poker is a game of luck and have been raiding house games now for over a year.

On Friday, Pennsylvania Judge Thomas A. James Jr. dealt a major blow to illegal gambling cases around the country. James' ruling in a case involving two defendants that were arrested for holding a house poker game was that poker is a game of skill.

Having answered the debate through a judicial ruling could have long lasting consequences involving other similar cases. In his ruling, Judge James cited reading that is available on how to win strategically at the game of poker.

The Poker Players alliance has stated that the case in Pennsylvania could be the crack in the government that poker players have been longing for. There is finally an authoritative figure that has come out in favor of their side of the argument.

On almost a weekly basis there have been reports of police breaking up house games involving poker. In the Pennsylvania case, Walter Watkins and his girlfriend, Diane Dent were holding a game at Watkins' house. They did not take a "house rake" in the game, and simply encouraged players to tip their dealer during the game.

The couple had faced twenty counts each that were relating to illegal gambling. After the judge's ruling on Friday, they were cleared on the charges.

In making his ruling the judge specifically noted how poker is more a game of skill than chance. That distinction could end up being good news for the millions of poker players that play the game in the luxury of their own homes.

January 18, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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