New research finds that Poker is a game of skill. Yes, I know, simply amazing. While this has been obvious to everyone who plays the game even semi-regularly, it has been especially difficult for researchers to pin down in a scientific format. This lack of professional research and testimony has not helped our case in Washington D.C. or many state courts and capitals.

The study was only made possible due to the huge database of played hands available from online Poker Rooms. Two factors were to be measured.

Firstly, they measured how much each player's winnings and losses fluctuated: the higher this variance, the greater the role of chance. Secondly, they measured the average value of a player's winnings or losses: highly skilled or terrible players would do noticeably better or worse than would be expected by chance alone.

Based on these factors, they found that the threshold at which the effects of skill start to dominate over chance is typically about 1000 hands, equivalent to about 33 hours of playing in person or 13 hours online, where the rate of play is brisker.

I can't see how this will have any effect on Poker players while they sit at tables, but it's possible legislators could be swayed by the new research. There are of course many biases and pre-made conceptions in Congress, but if enough representatives can remain open minded then we have a chance at common sense legislation coming out of the Capitol. The new study won't influence the larger debate about the UIGEA, but a big step forward for truly legalizing online Poker is still progress for our community.

Test your skills at these online Poker sites.
Full Tilt Poker
Bodog Poker