CHESS Match for cash

[XxGeneralxX]

In the past few years I have been playing all different forms of poker (like everyone else in the world). But lately I have developed a love for Chess. What do you guys feel about playing Chess matches for cash? is this gambling? Thanks

[Shoe]

Yes it's gambling, but i'd say it is a lot more skill based than poker is.

[slickpoppa]

I don't really consider it gambling because the skill factor is so high, unless the opponents are really close in abilities.

[XChamp]

Sure it's gambling. Everything is gambling.

Chess ratings are based on the assumption that a player of any strength CAN beat any other player, just with varying probabilities. Once in a while I will drop a game to a guy ranked FAR below me. Likewise, I will occasionally take down a big hitter.

Unless players are very close in ability then odds should be argued over. That's where most of the true gambling will come in. Can you REALLY beat him 2 out 3 times while playing black? Will it really be an even game if you give him a pawn advantage?

Chess is a beautiful game. It is the only game, besides poker, that has not bored me after years of playing it (but I haven't tried my hand at backgammon or bridge yet).

[A_C_Slater]

Chess can be gambled on, but the skill ratio is so high that the better player needs to handicap himself. Take away a knight or a rook, etc. I've been playing chess for years and I am quite good, but if I were to play Gary Kasparov straight up 1000 times in a row, he would win 1000/1000 times. But I could still gamble with him if he would agree to take away his queen. Then it might be closer to an even money proposition. I would have to then determine if Kasporov minus his queen was a EV+ situation for me. If not, then I stop playing, or make a deal with him to take off another pawn or two, etc.

[mosta]

time is good way to handicap. give a gm 30 sec's or a min, and you get 30 or 60 min. I think Dzindzikhashvili used to do sht like that in Wash Square Park (except more like 10 or 20 secs vs 10 min).

[Nick-Zack]

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if I were to play Gary Kasparov straight up 1000 times in a row, he would win 1000/1000 times.

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Can this really be true? I have never played competitive chess but 1000 straight is very hard for me to believe.

[wickedgoodtrader]

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Sure it's gambling. Everything is gambling.


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Me playing the best in the world would be like betting a coin will end up heads or tails (as in it will be 1 OF the 2 not 1 OR the other) It's a guranteed win coinflip and a guranteed win bet if you bet against me in the chess... that is not gambling.

[Shoe]

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Sure it's gambling. Everything is gambling.


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Me playing the best in the world would be like betting a coin will end up heads or tails (as in it will be 1 OF the 2 not 1 OR the other) It's a guranteed win coinflip and a guranteed win bet if you bet against me in the chess... that is not gambling.

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The one thing i have learned from betting is that NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING is guaranteed. You will still beat the world champ by complete fluke one in x times. Maybe that number is one in a thousand, maybe 10 thousand, maybe 10 million, however, if you play long enough eventually you will do something that catches him off guard, or he gets too over-confident, or just stops concentrating since he beat you 10,000 times in a row. I agree, chess is a lot more skill based than poker, but whenever money is involved, it is still gambling and anything can happen.

EDIT: Even if you have a 99% edge it is still "gambling", it's just that the odds are so much in your favor it is as close to guaranteed money as you can get.

[lostinthought]

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Chess is a beautiful game. It is the only game, besides poker, that has not bored me after years of playing it (but I haven't tried my hand at backgammon or bridge yet).

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Have you tried learning GO?