Chess.com launched a poker site and is planning even more classic games
The Verge
β’2026-08-30T09:00:00-04:00
π° What Happened
Chess.com has quietly launched its first companion site, Gambit, a free online poker website that went into beta back in May where players can learn the game and play without real-money gambling. Chief growth officer Albert Cheng says AI helped get Gambit off the ground with just a two-person team, and promised there will never be real-money gambling on the platform: 'Real money is the problem we built Gambit to get away from.'
π The Backstory
Gambit borrows Chess.com's design and play modes, including bot matches, games with friends, tournaments, a review mode and a learning mode, plus an Elo-style rating system that drives its paid subscription model. Cheng said poker was chosen because, like chess, it has learning and social elements on top of playing, and hinted at more classic games to come from the company.
π― Why It Matters
A dominant gaming platform moving into poker shows convergence across 'mind sports' and could bring millions of new players to learn poker in a safe, free environment. It also signals where Chess.com plans to grow next, and draws a line between gaming and gambling.
Chess.com has quietly launched its first companion site, Gambit, a free online poker website that went into beta back in May where players can learn the game and play without real-money gambling. Chief growth officer Albert Cheng says AI helped get Gambit off the ground with just a two-person team, and promised there will never be real-money gambling on the platform: 'Real money is the problem we built Gambit to get away from.'
Gambit borrows Chess.com's design and play modes, including bot matches, games with friends, tournaments, a review mode and a learning mode, plus an Elo-style rating system that drives its paid subscription model. Cheng said poker was chosen because, like chess, it has learning and social elements on top of playing, and hinted at more classic games to come from the company.
A dominant gaming platform moving into poker shows convergence across 'mind sports' and could bring millions of new players to learn poker in a safe, free environment. It also signals where Chess.com plans to grow next, and draws a line between gaming and gambling.