Poker 'more about skill than chance'
27th March, 2008
New research commissioned by Science Daily has determined that poker is predominantly a game of skill and not chance.
While all card games by their very nature incorporate an element of luck, the new study - conducted by Case Western Reserve University Michael DeDonno - argues skill remains the overriding factor.
The doctoral student carried out two separate investigations which he said provided empirical evidence that players who are better versed in complex gaming strategies and psychological analyses consistently fare better at the poker table.
Mr DeDonno wrote: "The reason that poker appears to be a game of luck is that the reliability of any short session is low."
When poker hand activity is consistently monitored over about 30 hours of gameplay, he went on to say, the signficance of skill-based factors becomes more apparent.
"Luck (random factors) disguise the fact that poker is a game of skill. However, as these studies show, skill is the determining factor in long-term outcome."
While the findings will come as little surprise to people who play online poker regularly, they are sure to rile anti-gambling lobbyists who traditionally lump online poker with generic casino games.
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By Elena
