Poker players and online casinos agree as judge deems Texas Hold 'em legal
Online casinos and gamers have welcomed a ruling by a US judge who confirmed that Texas Hold 'em is legal.
Detailing a poker study stating that players use skills to maximise their winnings, Judge Thomas A James Jr of Columbia County ruled that it is not illegal to play poker in the state. While it is still unlawful for US gamers to play at online casinos, bricks-and-mortar casinos in selected areas offer games of poker, blackjack and roulette.
Presiding over a case involving Walter Watkins, who ran a $1 - $2 no Texas Hold'em poker game in his garage, the 20 charges against him and the game's dealer Diane Dent were dropped.
In his ruling, Judge James said that "the dominant factor test" has traditionally applied to games of skill and cited multiple mathematical studies that prove it, including one linking "poker and economics."
The judge's research into the study detailed how expert poker players receive both good and bad hands, but gamers use their skills to minimise their losses on bad hands and also utilise them to maximise their winnings on large hands. Regular visitors to online casinos will recognise these plays.
He said: "It is apparent that skill predominates over chance in Texas Hold'em poker."
Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas spoke for many online casinos when he said: "Clearly the judge had an understanding of how poker is played. Coming to this decision, to him, was not a far leap. The decision sets an excellent bar for us in the future."