A Favorable Outcome Expected at Historic South Carolina Poker Case

On February 13th, 2009, after seeing a video of a poker championships and hearing the testimony of a professional poker player, Judge Larry Duffy said that he believes that the game of Texas Holdem poker is classified as a game of skill-a decision that could have a significant effect on how cards games is viewed in the state of South Carolina. South Carolina law outlaws gaming on games of luck that is played with dice or cards and Judge Larry Duffy's decision to be issued next week has a chance of passing through the state's higher courts.

Judge Larry Duffy said that he have already determined on his mind that the Game of Texas Holdem Poker is a game of skill towards the end of hearing. Judge Duffy's opinion, which is voiced from the bench, were announced during the hearing in the case of 5 men from Mount Pleasant who were arrested in a 2006 gaming raid. About twenty people were arrested in that case, but the other has resolved their charges by paying the fines. Town prosecutor Ira Grossman stated that whether the game of Texas Holdem is a skill game or not is not important because the defendants were apprehend at a house being utilized for a gaming operation, which is not allowed under the existing state law.

Defense lawyer Jeff Phillips said that the poker game were enjoyed among friends and that there is no profit gained from the game except some cash that are used to buy food and drinks. Mike Sexton, a well-known poker pro and a commentator on the world poker tour, said that skilled poker players win more compared to others because they have a range of ability that they can rely on like knowing when is the right time to fold, how much to wager, mathematical knowledge and observing their opponents.

He added that people should be allowed to enjoy the game in their homes. On a cross examination by Grossman, Sexton said that he had received $5,000 from the National Poker Players Alliance to testify at the hearing but reiterated that was not an important factor because he is doing it more for the love of poker than the appearance fee.

March 09, 2009
Pauline Davis