South Carolina Judge: Poker Is A Game Of Skill

Published on 16 Feb 09 16:31 by Dendra

After testimony of many experts, including Mike Sexton, the South Carolina Judge has determined that Texas Hold'em is a game of skill. How will this decision affect the trial remains to be seen in the ruling which is expected next week.

The South Carolina trial was held on Friday, February 13th. The Mount Pleasant courtroom witnessed an immense effort from the Defense Attorney Jeff Phillips in presenting evidence and testimony to prove that poker is a game of skill and therefore cannot be considered gambling under state law.

Mike Sexton and other experts told the court how poker is a game based on math calculations, timing and knowledge of opponents and their actions. During the cross examination Sexton had to admit under oath that he received $5,000 from the Poker Players Alliance to appear in court on behalf of defendants. He noted for the record, “I’m doing it more for the love of the game than the fee.”

Prosecutor Ira Grossman found the whole line of reasoning that poker is a game of skill irrelevant, saying that the defendants were arrested at a house used for a gambling operation where games were held regularly and advertised on the internet. When both sides rested their cases, it was Municipal Court Judge J. Lawrence Duffy who put the final word to the whole testimony:

“I have determined in my mind that Texas Hold’em is a game of skill.”