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Chess.com, one of the most popular chess websites with millions of daily users, has entered the poker world with the launch of Gambit, a free-to-use poker platform designed to introduce beginners to the game.
Gambit allows users to play against bots, friends, or other online players while learning the fundamentals of poker through guided lessons and strategy tips. The platform also tracks player statistics to help users monitor their progress.
Unlike many poker apps, Gambit does not involve real-money gambling, rake, or in-app purchases. Chess.com Chief Growth Officer Albert Cheng described the platform in a May blog post as “a poker site built for learning,” emphasizing that it applies lessons from Chess.com’s success to the game of poker.
Available on desktop, iOS, and Android, Gambit shares the same interface and visual style as Chess.com, making it instantly recognizable to existing users. The platform offers various game formats, including cash games and tournaments such as five-minute blind “Speedrun” events and the Gambit Cup.
Gambit also features Player of the Month leaderboards, showcasing top performers and tournament results to encourage competition among users.
The connection between chess and poker has long been recognized, with several notable figures bridging both worlds. Poker pro Michael Addamo has said he was introduced to poker through chess, while retired player Mike “Timex” McDonald later pursued competitive chess. Chess grandmaster Jen Shahade also became a PokerStars pro, and chess world champion Magnus Carlsen has previously discussed the strategic similarities between the two games during a 2023 interview at the European Poker Tour Monte Carlo.
