Poker: is it about luck or is it about skill after all?

Whether poker is more of a game of luck or skill is an often debated matter and there is a plethoria of articles on the internet written on this subject. From a poker-player point of view it is inconceivable that even the most ignorant of people should call poker a game of luck. The matter of the fact is, there's a great deal of skill involved in this game. It is obvious that we're seeing the same people time and again in the big poker tournament finals, so that means they must know something others don't. Or that they all sold their soul to the devil for eternal luck, but the latter is not highly likely. Many of these great players have almost perfected the part of the poker game that is based on skills. So much so as a matter of fact, that they can actually compensate for unlucky situations through sheer skill. This is probably why some poker purists are bent on saying that poker is exclusively a game of skill and luck has nothing to do with it whatsoever. The truth – as it usually turns out – is probably burried somewhere in the middle. Yes, Poker ( be it online poker or real one) is a game of skill but not exclusively of skill, it is also a game of luck, however, to call it a game based exclusively on luck is proof of utter ignorance. Luck is an important factor in poker, as it is in every day life. As a matter of fact, the importance of the luck-factor in every day existance is more often than not overlooked. Luck is something society is aiming to close out of its system as much as possible, because it involves uncertainty. People and instituitons don't base things on luck. Everything is built in a way that it needs certainty to function properly. Given the nature of the game, in poker getting away from the grasp of Lady Fortuna is damn near impossible. What makes the difference between good poker players and wannabes is the attitude they adopt towards luck. First of all a good player admits his game is dependant on luck, the idea is, however, to kind of ignore it anyway. Poker players need to be objective, and – despite being able to benefit from luck every now and then – see things for what they really are. Recognize a lucky draw, but do not let it mask your poor play. You won because you were lucky, not because you played a hand particularly well. Also do not be discouraged because of the fact that you're on an unlucky beat. If you play right, make good decisions and still lose a hand, stay objective and accept the fact for what it is. Remember, a good play can influence luck simply by changing the odds. As you probably read it before, detailed in different poker-articles, being able to read your opponent is one of the key ingredients of poker-success, whether one plays at a brick and mortar poker room or an online casino. In case of the latter, it is a bit more difficult to achieve, but just as necessary. Being able to tell how much of a driving force luck is in your opponents game can be just as important. If you notice a poker -player getting extremely lucky, but you also see that he's not much of a hotshot when it comes to poker-skill it is worth to "wait for the guy", that is wait till his luck runs out, as it's bound to happen sooner or later. To sum things up: Don't ever be afraid of getting unlucky in poker, but never wait for the lucky streak to hit either. Both are sure ways to burry your bankrol faster than you'd believe. The idea that people can actually control luck by prepairing for it and getting ready to deal with its consequences is not a new one. Learn to deal with luck and be a winner.