Poker: a game of luck or intellectual prowess?

It is a debate that has been raging for years: should poker be classified as a game of chance? The issue has divided so much that it has been brought before several courts (France and the United States). What is it really about? Find out the answer in this article.

The place of chance in poker

Whatever one may say, chance occupies an undeniable place in it. We can't win at this flagship game of swiss Casino without more or less relying on lady fortune. Many professional players agree that it takes a dose of luck to win the big poker tournaments.

This is an absolute truth, however, we must not make the mistake of relying only on this factor. It is certainly important, but not enough. In a poker game, each player deploys his strategy in order to influence the course of the game. Each of the decisions taken during is determined by parameters that vary according to the information of the party.

Poker cannot therefore be classified in the category of online casino games based on luck. Here are some solid and precise arguments to illustrate it.

Poker is not a game of chance: the arguments

Discover below some scientific facts that explain the exact nature of poker.

The skill ratio

This notion bears the signature of the professor of mathematical statistics and probability, Ben van der Genuten. It is based on the formula: skill ratio = learning effect / chance effect. Games based 100% on chance have a skill ratio of 0. On the other hand, those where the luck factor does not intervene have a skill ratio of 1.

After calculations carried out, it turns out that poker has a skill ratio of 0.4; it is close to that of the game of chess and we all know that it is not a game of chance, but of strategy whose greatest champions are lively and awake minds.

The probability of winning

The probability of winning is obtained from the formula: 1/N where N represents the number of players. The probability of winning 10 out of 20 victories is on average around 0.000126%. This would be almost inhuman, however, there are professionals in this game who have won more than 10 out of 20 victories. This is proof that they involve not only their experience, but also a good dose of know-how.

Some are even sponsored by big brands, which would not invest large sums of money if it were only a matter of luck.

Conclusion

The debate is therefore decided and the facts speak for themselves. Poker is not a game of chance and this has been proven by proven mathematical calculations that cannot be discussed. It is true that luck is important, but it also takes and above all technique, strategy and know-how to win a poker game.