Chess.com Launches Free Online Poker Site

Chess.com has ventured into new territory with the launch of Gambit, a free online poker website available in beta since May. This marks the company's first expansion beyond its namesake game, aiming to provide a learning environment for poker enthusiasts without real-money gambling.

Gambit shares design elements and play modes with Chess.com, including bot matches, friend games, tournaments, and review features. It also features familiar bot characters from Chess.com. A key innovation is an Elo-style rating system, designed to motivate players by tracking progress, similar to Chess.com's model.

This new platform utilizes AI for rapid development, enabling Chess.com to explore other classic games like go, backgammon, and mahjong. The company plans to implement similar Elo-style rating systems for these future expansions, focusing on games with strong community elements. Content creators are also being integrated to foster community growth.

The first major event on Gambit is the Gambit Cup, scheduled for livestream on August 31st at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT on Twitch and YouTube. The event will feature Chess.com co-founder Danny Rensch and chess content creator Alexandra Botez.