Why can card games involve skill as well as chance?

Card games involve both chance and skill because they are defined by the distribution of cards and the subsequent strategic decisions made by players.

The element of chance is introduced at the start of a game through the shuffling of the deck, which randomizes the initial distribution of cards. Because players can only see the cards they hold, card games are often characterized as games of "imperfect information," where the outcome is not predetermined.1

The element of skill arises from how players manage this information as the game progresses. Skillful play involves:
* Observation: Tracking the distribution of cards through bids, discards, and trick play.1
* Mathematical Assessment: Using probability theory to evaluate the likelihood of drawing specific cards or holding a winning hand.12
* Psychology: In games like poker, players use strategy to bluff, disguise their emotions, and read opponents' "tells" (such as facial expressions or speech patterns).32

Ultimately, while chance dictates the initial hand, skill allows players to exert control over the outcome by making informed decisions based on the evolving state of the game.12