Suspects say poker a game of skill, not chance

Friday, June 29, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

AKRON, Ohio -- Attorneys for 10 gambling suspects claim their clients are innocent because poker is a game of skill, not chance.

The defense plans to bring an expert from Las Vegas and a statistician from the University of Akron to prove their point before Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer of Akron Municipal Court.

The defense wants the charges dismissed.

Stormer warned during a hearing Thursday that attorneys would have a tough time proving poker is a game of skill because Ohio law calls it as a game of chance.

Attorneys Ed Sawan, Frank Pignatelli and Marcus Lombardi are representing six people charged with operating a gambling house and four people charged with illegal gambling.

Police claim the defendants were taking part in a poker game that was illegal because those in charge were taking in up to $1,000 a night.

Police and prosecutors disputed the defense argument and pointed to court decisions that poker is a game of chance.

Akron Lt. James Phister said a person playing pool who is more skilled will have a better chance of getting the ball to go in the pocket. With poker, he said, players are at the mercy of the cards.