I know its a debatable topic, and it is a debate I would probably use but it is a thought that has been circling my mind so I thought I would raise the topic and see if it gauges a reaction. Poker in a casino environment is seen as a skill game, which would suggest that if you are skillful at it, then it isn’t really a game of chance, which would make me wonder why its in a casino, a place where games of chance play in the establishments favour.
My first problem with the poker needs skill argument is my experience of online games. I have seen people brag about how good they are, and yes they have a large chip stack, but then some new kid comes in, goes all in on a 5 6 suited with the person who has pocket queens, no contest surely, but then low and behold on the flop is 2 3 4 7 8, and the ‘skilfull’ player is left with a severely reduced stack. Also I have seen games on the telly featuring the great Devilfish where a player I had never heard of beat him all ends up. Which would suggest to me that it is not really a game of skill, but more a game of confidence, if you have the kahunas then you have a higher chance of making people think twice before calling your cards, but then you will always risk someone who can see through this type of play.
Secondly, if someone was truly skillful at the game and won say 90% of the games they entered, which is unlikely percentage but possible, it would be likely in this situation that a gambling establishment would get slightly edgy about your play and kick you off their grounds. Usually because they suspect you of card counting, which is not illegal, but frowned upon by the establishment.
But then there is the other side of the argument, if it didn’t take skill then why are the usual names at the final tables of the big tournaments? Surely they are their because they have beaten players through skill, but maybe they have just beaten them by their reputation….I do believe that there is a certain degree of skill, but I also think that it is heavily a game of chance and even the best can get burned by a novice.
