The boundary between chess and poker has been getting smaller for years. Great masters like Magnus Carlsen
Chess.com, the most important online chess site in the world, launched Gambit, a platform dedicated to poker training and other games that aims to replicate part of the formula that turned the chess site into an internet giant.
The idea has a strong argument: learn without losing money.
“The whole industry makes money when beginners lose,” explained Albert Cheng
Gambit offers games against bots, matches between friends, tournaments, session reviews, and different learning modes. Additionally, it uses a system inspired by Elo, originally created by Arpad Elo to measure the relative strength of chess players.
Chess Legend Magnus Carlsen Has Been Part Of Several Poker Tournaments.
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The platform proposes exercises mainly based on solver situations, subsequently grading the player’s decisions. In other words, it turns numerous spots into a kind of Game Theory Optimal (GTO) exam.
Knowing what a solver recommends does not necessarily mean knowing how to play better against real people. Poker also involves detecting tendencies, exploiting mistakes, adapting to opponents, and making decisions with imperfect information. Turning every hand into “correct” or “incorrect” according to a mathematical solution can end up simplifying a game precisely famous for the opposite.
That does not mean Gambit lacks value. Its free version can become an interesting gateway for beginners and players who cannot afford expensive specialized programs.
Chess.com thus found an obvious opportunity within the growing poker training business. Now it remains to be seen if its formula manages to create better players… or simply better solver students.
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