Is poker mostly skill or luck?

Vovk · Jun 17, 2025

How much does it really affect long-term poker success?

SpanRmonka · Jun 17, 2025

If it was majority luck we'd all be breaking even!! Of course there is a huge amount of luck. but over the medium tom long term skill prevails, or sensible game selection etc etc

SPANKYSN · Jun 17, 2025

The same faces appear on TV at the final tables of WPT and other large tournaments...there's got to be a reason for that; these players are skilled...given that, there is still plenty of luck involved, the timing of said luck means the difference between losing and winning.

Jdawglet · Jun 17, 2025

Let’s take Luck out of the conversation.

It’s a game of chance. The chance of winning a tournament is different than the chance of winning a hand. This is where skill comes in…especially when winning a hand by having others fold…when there was a high chance they had you beat.

Can you detect patterns to players? Can you establish a table presence that tells others you’re not bluffing…can you make the tough call or fold…regardless of the chances you are winning or losing?

margmilo44 · Jun 17, 2025

Making someone fold a better hand? That’s not chance, that’s control. Sometimes the best move is laying down a strong hand when the situation feels off. That's decision making not luck!

Rmi · Jun 17, 2025

According to my studies, 70% skill and 30% luck... But not everyone thinks the same way

Toruk Makto · Jun 17, 2025

A bit of both, but luck comes with competence.

fernandofcp · Jun 17, 2025

It is skill (technical) and luck at the same time. Only skill or luck will not allow to go too far to succeed in poker. You have to unite luck and skill at the same time when you put it. This is the formula of success. First of all, study and prepare so that luck can smile at you when opportunities arise. There is no magic in poker, but logical reasoning and objectivity with a little luck.

Ronder · Jun 17, 2025

I think it's luck

pentazepam · Jun 18, 2025

Luck in the short term.

Skill in the long term.

gravii2011 · Jun 18, 2025

Skill doesn't affect the river at all, so luck is more important.

ManOfSky · Jun 18, 2025

If there are professional players who often find themselves in the finals of the tournament. I think in the long term success has nothing to do with it. You have to learn.

makisaa · Jun 18, 2025

Skills are the most important always. When you play you are improving your game and your skills. You are improving as player. Luck of course is a factor, but you cannot play only with luck. Luck is a factor that is going to help you. As much as you are improving skills are becoming more significant and luck less significant. So in the long term the most significant are skills!

dannystanks · Jun 18, 2025

We definitely need both. Poker is a hard game, we can study and be prepared but we still need luck. Luck for our cards to hold, luck if we are behind in the hand and need the suck out, luck that we can get the best hand to fold.

Rost · Jun 18, 2025

Vovk said:
How much does it really affect long-term poker success?

freerolls are 50%/50%
As for tournaments with buy-ins starting at $10, skill is 70% and luck is 30%. This is approximately the ratio I see based on my experience and my results.

888NOX888 · Jun 19, 2025

Perhaps for a good and profitable poker game you need both skill and luck and a bunch of other skills and abilities, therefore, as in other professions, not everyone can become the best.

bodil19982 · Jun 19, 2025

Luck plays a big role in poker, but without skill you won't get far

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Is poker mostly skill or luck?

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