Author name: Hunter_Mika

Chess.com has launched Gambit, a free poker learning platform designed for beginners, with no real money gambling and no rake. Chess champion Magnus Carlsen also shared similarities between the two strategy games. With a well-known chess website boasting millions of daily active users launching a poker platform and training courses, poker may be poker experiencing a surge in popularity among chess players. Gambit, launched by Chess.com, is a free poker software that allows players to compete against bots, friends, and other online users. Users can also learn poker basics, take poker strategy courses, and track their poker stats. Designed specifically for beginners, Gambit aims to help new players get acquainted with the game without worrying about losing money or being forced to make in-app purchases. In a May blog post, Albert Cheng, Chief Growth Officer of Chess.com, stated, "It's like this: a poker site built specifically for learning. No real money gambling. No rake. Just applying the strategy manual for chess, which works for millions, to poker." Gambit is available on desktops as well as iOS and Android systems, and Chess.com users will find it very familiar, as both share the same interface and graphic design. The site allows players to play cash games against bots, friends, and other online users. It also offers tournaments such as the five-minute blind Speedrun and the Gambit Cup. The site also provides a monthly leaderboard showcasing the current champion and all tournament results. The connection between chess and poker: Poker has long been closely linked to chess, both being strategic competitive games. High-stakes top player Michael Addamo told PokerNews that he learned about poker through chess; and retired poker legend Mike "Timex" McDonald later became an excellent chess player. Meanwhile, chess grandmaster and author Jen Shahade has also had a successful career as a PokerStars pro, while chess streamers like Alexandra Botez have become regulars at tournament poker sites. Magnus Carlsen, considered one of the greatest chess players of all time, has also dabbled in poker. PokerNews interviewed the chess champion at the 2023 European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo event, where he discussed the similarities between the two games. Carlsen stated, "I think there are more similarities between poker and chess than people think. Of course, chess has perfect information, but you still often base your decisions on imperfect calculations. In that sense, they are the same in one respect."