A judge in South Carolina recently ruled the game of poker a skill game. This move has of course gained the attention of the Poker Players Alliance and they have commented on the subject and shown their agreement with the ruling.

John Pappas the executive director of The Poker Players Alliance commented: “Pokeris not a crime in South Carolina or anywhere else, and we are grateful to the court for compling the overwhelming evidence that proves this case and protects the rights of players . This ruling is fully consistent with the declarations of other judges and juries across the country that Texas Hold’em is clearly a game of predominant skill and adults who play should not be criminalized.”

Five people in South Caronlina had been convicted of illegal gamblingand the trial court found the game of poker a game of skill. A higher court was left with the decision of state gambling laws being overly vague. The higher court reversed the decision of the convictions.

"All poker players are well aware that the game is based on making the correct, informed decisions, not just mere chance, and games of predominant skill should not be classified in the same league as slot machines or lotteries," said John Ridgeway, South Carolina State Director of the Poker Players Alliance. "We're very pleased that the judge considered the overwhelming evidence and came to the same conclusion. This is a well deserved legal victory for the players, the American game of poker, and for common sense under the law."





- 2009-10-08