Actually, most scholars agree that it is Haram. The reason being that it is a path. You might at first start by playing as just a game. But when you start playing more often, and you realize how good you have become, it becomes easier for Shaitaan to tempt you to play for real money.

Look at the wisdom of Allah in the Quran, he does not just say "ABC is Forbidden". He usually says, "Avoid...", "Do not go near...".

A good example is Zinaa (fornication), when we are told, do not go near Zinaa. Go near zinaa refers to anything that might lead to zinaa, e.g. being alone with a non-mahram member of the opposite sex. (non-mahram means someone you are allowed to marry), staring at women (besides your wife) with desire...these are all things which can lead to Zinaa.

Likewise, just because we remove the element of money, does not make Poker a halal game. Believe me, talking from experience, once the you become good, you will start finding it boring and need bigger challenge, and more excitement. Before you realize, you are doing haraam.

So, whether you agree it is haram or not, you cannot disagree that it is wiser to avoid it.

PS : You can google, and you will see that all those who say it is not haram are just laymen like us, but majority of real scholars say it is haram.

As for zizzat, your brother has made a very very dangerous statement. Just coz it is one way gambling (win, or not lose), does not make it halal at all.