SC judge rules Texas Hold 'em is a skill Game

Earlier this week in my home state, a South Carolina judge ruled that Texas Hold'em Poker is a game of skill. An old 1802 South Carolina law makes any game with cards or dice, including popular board games such as Monopoly and Sorry illegal. Dozens of other states actually have very similar laws. Pretty stupid law I know, but most folk would be surprised at some of the old laws that are still on the books all across the United States.

According to the Associated Press, Mount Pleasant Municipal Judge Larry Duffy didn't decide whether this will make any difference in the books though, and it did not help five defendants that were fighting a case against them that stemmed from a 2006 raid on a poker game that organizers said was played among friends, but prosecutors characterized as a for-profit gambling operation. The judge found them guilty of operating a gambling house.

Judge Duffy said evidence was "overwhelming" that poker was a game of skill, but said he did not have enough guidance from higher courts or state lawmakers to know if that analysis makes a difference under South Carolina law.

I'm not really sure what this will mean, but I still consider it good news for poker players in the state. If this case were to be appealed, the South Carolina Supreme Court may eventually have to decide if Texas Hold 'em is legal in the state. The ruling could then keep police from arresting people involved in friendly house games.