Poker is a game of luck

Poker is chiefly a game of luck, not skill, a jury decided yesterday in a landmark ruling.

Derek Kelly was convicted of breaching the 1968 Gaming Act by hosting games at his private club

It states that a licence is needed to host games of chance, like Blackjack or Roulette - but not Chess and Quiz Machines.

The trial was seen as a test of whether or not Poker should fall under the Act.

Mr Kelly's defence argued that skill was needed to play poker successfully - but the prosecution said that once the cards were shuffled, a "significant" element of chance had been introduced..

Mr Kelly was convicted of organising a game in which a "winning's levy was charged" and of organising a game in which a players fee was charged.

Mr Kelly said "We will still be playing at the Gutshot tonight. We may have to change the way we do it"

He will be sentenced on 15/02/07