Chess.com, the online chess giant, has officially entered the poker arena with the launch of Gambit, a new poker platform. The move marks the company's first foray beyond chess and signals a broader ambition to bring other timeless games to its massive user base. According to Albert Cheng, Chess.com's Chief Operating Officer, artificial intelligence was instrumental in accelerating Gambit's development, allowing a lean two-person team to build and launch the site.
A Strategic Pivot: From Chess to Poker
The launch of Gambit on [Date] represents a calculated expansion for Chess.com, which has dominated online chess for over a decade. The company aims to leverage its existing infrastructure—including user accounts, matchmaking systems, and community features—to create a seamless poker experience. Cheng highlighted that AI tools reduced development time significantly, enabling the small team to handle tasks that would typically require a larger engineering force.
"AI helped us get Gambit off the ground with just a two-person team," Cheng said in an interview. "We could focus on the core poker mechanics and let AI handle the repetitive coding and testing."
Gambit's Features and Early Response
Gambit offers a variety of poker formats, including Texas Hold'em and Omaha, with both cash games and tournaments. The platform integrates Chess.com's social features, allowing friends to challenge each other and track statistics. Early user feedback has been positive, with players praising the smooth interface and the familiarity of the Chess.com ecosystem. The site is currently in open beta, and the team is iterating rapidly based on user input.
Beyond Poker: A Vision for Classic Games
Cheng revealed that Chess.com's gaming ambitions extend far beyond poker. "We're looking at other classic games that have stood the test of time," he said. "Chess and poker are just the beginning. We want to become the home for all strategy and skill-based games." While he didn't name specific titles, industry insiders speculate that games like backgammon, Go, and bridge could be on the horizon—each with a rich history and a dedicated player base.
The company's strategy is to apply the same formula that made Chess.com successful: robust matchmaking, fair play algorithms, and a vibrant community. By 2026, the company aims to have a portfolio of at least five games, with cross-game integration that allows players to maintain a single profile and achievements across all platforms.
AI as a Catalyst
The role of AI in Gambit's development cannot be overstated. Cheng noted that AI not only accelerated coding but also helped with game balance and user experience testing. "AI allowed us to simulate thousands of games to fine-tune the rules and identify potential exploits," he explained. This approach could become a template for future game launches, reducing time-to-market and enabling small teams to compete with larger studios.
Implications for the Gambling Industry
While Chess.com's entry into poker may raise eyebrows, it's important to note that Gambit operates in a legal gray area. The site currently offers play-money games only, avoiding the regulatory complexities of real-money gambling. This positions Chess.com to build a poker community without legal hurdles, while potentially exploring real-money options in regulated markets in the future. The move also signals a broader trend of gaming companies diversifying their offerings to retain users and increase engagement.
What's Next for Chess.com
Cheng is optimistic about the future: "We're just getting started. Our goal is to make Gambit the go-to destination for poker players, and then to expand into other games with the same quality and community spirit." As Chess.com continues to grow—boasting over 150 million registered users as of 2026—the company's expansion into poker and beyond could redefine what it means to be a gaming platform. For now, players can enjoy a game of poker on Gambit, with the promise of more classics to come.
via The Verge