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Chess and Poker – Any Similarities?

How are chess and poker similar? How are they different? Many people are fans of both games.

This may come as a surprise to some, who see chess as a board game for intellectuals while poker is a card game for everymen. However, the structures of the games are not so different after all.


Structure of Poker and Chess

Chess Structure

In chess, the game divides into three parts. There is the opening , which is usually a set sequence of moves that the player has memorized beforehand. Then there is the middle game, in which the strategy and tactics come into play. Finally, there is the endgame, in which a player tries to convert whatever advantages he has amassed into a victory.

Poker Structure

Poker games have a similar structure. For example, in Texas hold’em, play starts when you get your two card starting hand. Most players have already memorized before hand which starting hands they will play and which they will fold. Many act the same way every time they get a certain hand in a specific position, which make the opening part of the game just as straightforward as, say, Video Poker . In other words: a no-brainer.

Then comes the flop and the turn, in which players try to build pots and read the strength of their opponents. Finally, the river, the point when players decide whether they will make a play for the pot, spring a trap, or just try to get to a showdown. This is when the skill, or lack of skill, really shows.

More info about the rules of the game


Strategies for Poker and Chess

Chess Strategies

There are two kinds of chess players -- positional players and tactical players. The positional player attempts to slowly build small advantages, never making any big, risky moves, just trying to creep up and overwhelm the opponent. The tactical player is looking for that big, tricky sequence of moves that will lead to quick kill, even if it means giving up material or putting his own king at risk.

Poker Strategies

There are two kinds of poker players, as well. Tight players like to slowly build chips, rarely putting a lot of chips at risk without a big hand, trying to squeeze a few extra chips out of small edges. Loose aggressive players tend to make a lot of bold moves, putting many chips at risk in order to try to grab someone’s whole stack.

As you can see, the similarities between these two games are more than enough to attract the same kind of competitors. If you only play one of these games, you may want to seriously consider giving the other one a try.