The game of poker has been steadily growing in popularity over the last few decades. Gone is the image of poker as a man’s game, played in dingy backrooms under clouds of cigar smoke; poker is now a game for everyone, with an increasing number of young players reaching high rankings in some of the big tournaments. Online poker has had much to do with it, using new technology to bring the game to the attention of more people. It has also made it easier for people to learn how to play, with guides to everything from poker dictionary to betting strategies available on the internet. But for many, the thrill of playing live poker cannot be recreated online. Having a human opponent to study and being able to see their reactions is a huge part of the game. It’s why many people want poker re-classed as a skills game rather than a game of chance; a reclassification which would see it escape the gambling restrictions in many countries. One such country is Egypt. Like other Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East, Egypt is largely against gambling for…
