Is skill based games considered gambling ?
Question
Am I allowed to play a skill-based game in which I put some money in (5 dollars) and play against other people to win more money? Is that considered gambling if the game is based on skill? For reference, the game is called Solitaire Cash. Thank you.
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Gambling, is forbidden.
Let’s take a look at the Talmudic source.
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 24b) tells us that someone who gambles is invalid as a witness. It is explained that this is because the loser in the gamble didn't really want to lose/give away his money, which means that when the winner takes the money, he is actually stealing it to some extent!
Even gambling with non-Jews is prohibited, and even if it is a one-off time.
Answered by
Author of the "Dalet Amot BeHalacha" series
Smicha Yoreh-Yoreh (1999) and Yadin-Yadin, author of "Dalet Amot BeHalacha" (11 volumes)
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah, Even HaEzer, Choshen Mishpat (excluding laws of interest)
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