would playing poker with money count as gambling?

Question

if so, was it illegal to gamble in New York in 1986?

Answer 1

Of course, it's gambling! Unless you give the losers back their money at the end of the game (yeah right), you're conducting an illegal gambling activity.

Answer 2

Playing anything by wagering money or anything else is gambling. The question is what's legal and what's illegal gambling. I believe gambling is only illegal if the host/house gets a cut from the wagered money in any way. Otherwise, I could sit here with a bunch of my friends and play cards for money all day long, and as long as the host/house don't get any cut from the money being tossed around, then there's no problem.

Answer 3

I don't see poker as gambling at all, it is a calculated risk. Poker has no house edge so if you are a better player you will get the money. Now as far as is it illegal to have a poker game for cash it all depends on what state you are in. In most states you can play for cash as long as you don't take a rake. I know in New York they have been cracking down on underground poker rooms, so be sure to ask what the law is.

Answer 4

Yes, illegal. This has been the subject of much legal debate. Is poker a skill game like chess, or a chance game like blackjack and therefore illegal? In reality, it is both, but in New York it was ruled that it was a form of gambling like any other and therefore illegal.

Fraid I can't find the evidence to back this up fully. But I remember reading all about it, specifically in relation to NYC, on Google Answers (now defunct service a bit like Y! A but you had to pay for it, and you got properly researched answers). You can search for it however, the answers are still archived.

Also look up the case of Gutshot club in UK - no relevance to NYC specifically, but it covers the same issues.

Answer 5

By the definitions in section 225, unless you banked the game or took a rake, you were a player and therefore doing no more than "loitering for the purpose of gambling", a small time misdemeanor.

Tecnically illegal probably not warranting arrest

Answer 6

The term gambling has had many different meanings depending on the cultural and historical context in which it is used. Currently, in Western societies, it has an economic definition, referring to "wagering money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods". Typically the outcome of the wager is evident within a short period of time.

With this definition betting on the outcome of a checkers game is gambling.

Answer 7

Gambling with money counts as gambling

Answer 8

That is the definition of gambling. I don't know about New York.

Answer 9

NO !!!
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It falls under similar laws as a " Raffle " or Bingo games
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Poker: Does not fall under Sec. 5-401.
as written in the comment above.... coz the outcome is depends on the players own faith - not his hand. many players with - a bad hand- can bluff the others...and still win,

Poker can by-pass the law against gambling..because its a game of skill -or ability to manipulate ( fake out- ie; bluff ) and the wagers are set among each player.into a community pot' any player can withdraw his money - not bet !

BUT:

Illegal gambling involve chance'..with no guarantee of outcome on event can not be predicted.

for example: A boxing match..a horse race, a lottery, a football game etc..your personal skills has nothing to do with the outcome..

In a Poker game
a player can stop if he has no faith in his hand. so theres no risk., if he thinks his hand is better he continues..the best player - collects the community pot.

Answer 10

Gambling means to put something at stake. And if your playing poker it is indeed putting something at stake. Though its a mild form of it.