As Gamble.co.uk reports, the jury in the Gutshot Poker trial reached the conclusion that poker is a game of chance not one of pure skill. Consequently Derek Kelly, owner of The Gutshot Poker Club, has been found guilty of organising and profiting from two games of poker without a license.

The prosecution based their arguments on the fact that cards are shuffled before every poker game, introducing a definite element of chance at that point. Regardless of players exercising various level of skill during the game, their starting hands were determined by chance.

The defence argued that the question should be whether skill or chance was the most influential in determining the result of the game. The defence explained seriousness, sophistication and variety of skill applied by players during the game, including calculating odds quickly during the game and understanding the psychology of other players. The defence demonstrated that, although there is an element of chance at the start of the poker hand, as the game progresses the skill is major factor in the finish.

More on that story, including day by day trial reports on Gamble.co.uk.