Swedish Judges Get Poker Lesson
Often, judges are required to preside over cases in which they must consider subjects they’re largely unfamiliar with. For instance, when poker hits the courtroom, many judges are ill equipped to decide whether it is a game of luck or skill, as few judges are also professional poker players.
However, judges in Sweden have taken a unique approach to getting around this problem. According to a report on CardPlayer.com, in a case currently before the Swedish Supreme Court, the judges must determine whether poker is primarily a game of luck or skill. As part of their determination, they have enlisted the aid of an “expert player” who has given them a quick but detailed lesson on the ins and outs of the game.
According to reports, the case deals with the conviction of tournament organizers who were found guilty of holding a gambling tournament in 2007. The convictions were thrown out on appeal, but the case has now found itself in the highest court in Sweden, where the organizers will finally see their fate determined.
The expert player was not named, but reportedly spoke to a local news agency about his time with the judges. According to the player, he helped convey to the judges that “courage, patience, experience, mathematical and psychological knowledge are some important characteristics” in a successful poker player. CardPlayer.com also reported that mathematician Erik Broman has also testified to say that poker is essentially a skill game with elements of luck.
Similar determinations of luck vs. skill in poker have been critical in many earlier cases. Perhaps the most infamous case in the United States was that of Billy Baxter, who won a legal battle with the IRS to have poker winnings classified as earned income, rather than unearned income – which was taxed at a much higher rate. The crux of his argument was that poker was a game of skill, and thus he was earning income just as any athlete did – an argument that was ultimately successful.
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Posted by Senior Editor on Feb 26 2011. Filed under Poker legislation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
