Poker is a game of chance, because it is impossible to play poker without material interest, such as (money, chips, matches) which the player then takes with him after the game, and the strategy, skills and luck of the tick helps to win or lose. No matter how gambling it was, poker would not be played in a casino. Checkers, chess and dominoes do not rob the casino.
I'm absolutely convinced that poker can be 100% strategy and cold, mathematical calculation. And then everyone adds as much gambling as they deem necessary—you can save up for a month to buy into some expensive tournament and then shovel 72о in the first hand—no one will stop you.
Welcome to the Cardschat forum 🙂Raz1969 said:
Generally, a gambler can rely heavily on luck, whether in poker or other games.
In poker, a gambler can play randomly with weak hands, relying entirely on luck.
However, if we rely on poker strategies and skills, the situation changes. Luck becomes less influential; we might have luck and use it as a strategic element of the game.
If we are not lucky, then applying poker strategies and skills will be the strongest factor to achieve good results and maintain balance without falling into a large and quick loss.
I believe that when we apply poker strategies and skills, we must have a good or at least satisfactory result, and avoid falling into badbeat and losing everything, as always happens when we rely entirely on luck and gamble randomly.
I think poker is both gambling and strategy — but not in equal proportions.
In the short term, it absolutely contains gambling elements. You can make the right decision and still lose. Variance is built into the game, and luck plays a role in individual hands, sessions, or even months.
But in the long run, poker is clearly a strategy game. The better player consistently makes more +EV decisions, manages bankroll properly, controls emotions, studies ranges, understands position, and exploits opponents. That edge compounds over time.
The key difference between poker and pure gambling games (like roulette or slots) is that in poker, you’re playing against other players — not the house. Skill directly affects outcomes.
In the short term, it absolutely contains gambling elements. You can make the right decision and still lose. Variance is built into the game, and luck plays a role in individual hands, sessions, or even months.
But in the long run, poker is clearly a strategy game. The better player consistently makes more +EV decisions, manages bankroll properly, controls emotions, studies ranges, understands position, and exploits opponents. That edge compounds over time.
The key difference between poker and pure gambling games (like roulette or slots) is that in poker, you’re playing against other players — not the house. Skill directly affects outcomes.