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#1 9th August 2007, 5:20 AM

Do you think its ok for kids to play poker? Im not talking about for money,im just talking about as a game.

#2 9th August 2007, 6:10 AM

Id say any type of gambling for people under a certain age (maybe around 16) is pretty bad. I think you need to be at a certain maturity level to be able to gamble responsibly. If you are just playing for play chips or very small amounts of money (I used to play poker for nickels with my grandfather when I was 13) I dont think it is wrong.

#3 9th August 2007, 8:37 AM

I am very into poker as a lifestyle, a world view, so take this for what it's worth.

I think it's good for them, any age. It teaches them a type of high level thinking they don't get in school. Done with proper guidance and a clear understanding of ethics and honest play it can give them life changing insight into a sort of poker world view.

Of course at age ten it's for candy or pennies. Teens can easily get carried away so parental guidance is a must. Zero tolerence for cheating, going outside what is allowed stakeswise etc... has to be enforced. but that is part of the ethics and honor training that goes with. (Which I absolutley abide by) Also teaches them the difference between gambling and skill games even though it can be both.

I have to admit my son who will be 18 in the fall has played on and off for a couple years. In some ways he was a natural; much better than me & he wouldn't pick up a book. At least it got him off the video games for a while.

His motto "I may not have the nuts but i've got the balls"

Goldog

#4 9th August 2007, 8:51 AM

game theory is always healthy.

#5 9th August 2007, 3:44 PM

I wrangled with this in regard to my 10 year old and now we play way-scaled-down versions of various card games for play chips or play money. What helped me decide it was all right for him was realizing how poker had changed *my* thinking. I'm not the most logical girl in the world and not math oriented at all but when I started playing again there was a major brain shift in those areas and I like it! So far, it seems to be laying good neural pathways for him too. The strategic thinking, analyzing situations, and especially the math -- all good for him. Something finally clicked for him there that hadn't yet with schoolwork.

'Course we don't want him hunched over his cards with a beer and a cigarette making side bets with Uncle Joe. So we don't invite Uncle Joe to the games anymore ;-)

#6 9th August 2007, 4:11 PM

I have a 12 yr old that plays. I have a set of chips that we'll play with. i agree with the above post as it helps him use his noodle and challege his mind in trying to figure out who has the better of it. The chips are just part of the game just like in monopoly there is play money. I don't really see this as turning him into a problem gambler as we are not gambling just playing a game.

#7 9th August 2007, 4:20 PM

I've got a 4 yr. old son that watches me play from time to time. He says things like "You've got two 4's daddy." or "3 7 9".

So it is good for even very young children. Of course I use it as teaching time and ask questions. "What letter/number is this" and so on.

Poker is one of the best ways to apply probability and statistics. Obviously the gambling aspect has to be monitored and explained at some point.

#8 9th August 2007, 6:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldog

I am very into poker as a lifestyle, a world view, so take this for what it's worth.

I think it's good for them, any age. It teaches them a type of high level thinking they don't get in school. Done with proper guidance and a clear understanding of ethics and honest play it can give them life changing insight into a sort of poker world view.

Of course at age ten it's for candy or pennies. Teens can easily get carried away so parental guidance is a must. Zero tolerence for cheating, going outside what is allowed stakeswise etc... has to be enforced. but that is part of the ethics and honor training that goes with. (Which I absolutley abide by) Also teaches them the difference between gambling and skill games even though it can be both.

I have to admit my son who will be 18 in the fall has played on and off for a couple years. In some ways he was a natural; much better than me & he wouldn't pick up a book. At least it got him off the video games for a while.

His motto "I may not have the nuts but i've got the balls"

Goldog

Everything Goldog said I am in absolute agreement with. As long as it's done in a responsible manner, I think it's a great tool for analytical thinking, and to "think outside the box". I mean, what a great math tool!

#9 9th August 2007, 6:58 PM

Kept in the right context and with some solid adult supervision/guidance, poker can be a great game for kids. This is a game that teaches you something new--mathematically, tactically, psychologically--almost everyday.

#10 9th August 2007, 7:37 PM

Hi,

I have a 14 yr old daughter who plays poker with the family when we are all together and I will let her play on line when I am able to sit with her. I feel she is learning a lot about making quick decision and the consequences of those decisions. The hardest part for her is learning not to play with her emotions when a player makes her mad. She tends to try to target people that go all in a lot and will lose. All in all I feel like it has been a good learning experience for her.

#11 9th August 2007, 10:00 PM

Ive been playing poker with my dad since i was around 10. Started playing for some money when i was about 12 or 13. When i turned 18 we started going to a local bar and playing limit holdem there. Im 19 now and still love to play.

#12 10th August 2007, 8:43 PM

i think its ok for a young kid 2 say 15 or so if they want 2 build a bankroll if they play freerolls and then low limit gams as long as they dont deposit.aslo as long s they dont skip scholl of fake sick so they can play a noon turny.as long as they get there education i wouldnt care if my kid played.

#13 10th August 2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaqueline26

Do you think its ok for kids to play poker? Im not talking about for money,im just talking about as a game.

ofcourse i think its ok. it gives them something to do and get good at in their spare time, and it could make them some money someday.

#14 10th August 2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaqueline26

Do you think its ok for kids to play poker?

I think it`s probably alright, as long as they do sex and drinking first. Gotta keep the priorities straight.

#15 11th August 2007, 1:28 AM

I don't see it as a problem if it's just for fun. If there's no real money involved, then it shouldn't be any different to playing Monopoly or any number of other games with them

#16 11th August 2007, 2:26 AM

No problem at all. I've been playing since I was about 7 (5 card draw) and look at me. I turned out OK.

#17 11th August 2007, 5:06 AM

its fine alot of kids do it a study was done on 60 minutes and alot of kids steal there parents credit cards and do it online (not ok) but if done responsibly such as freerolls that yea its ok

#18 11th August 2007, 7:41 AM

I let my boy whose 14 play online - play money only, and he does very nicely. Teaches him patience, strategy, imagination, but would not want him playing for real money. Only worry is the rude guys always appearing but he can handle that.

#19 11th August 2007, 2:52 PM

To clarify my view from up above a little, we only play live with the kid. Online, I guess it would depend on the maturity level of the teen plus it brings up lots of other questions. Does the underage player get his own account (against TOS), does he share with an adult, play solo on the adult account while the parent handles cashouts/deposits?

I know there are a lot of underage real money players online and I feel at least two ways about that. An almost legal kid getting a head start -- kinda meh there. Younger though, I don't know. Given a choice, I'd prefer to be among consenting adults whether I'm taking the $ or donating the $. But maybe that's just me.
edit: I just re-realized the OP specified not for money, so I'm a little off topic. Sorry.

#20 11th August 2007, 4:12 PM

Ten years ago this question would be a little more interesting. Today kids are such a mess that poker might not even make the list of do's and don'ts. I personally think it's great if they learn anything that teaches analitical thinking, no matter what it is. Even if it's for money...their money. I started playing cards for cash when I was 11. By the time I was 18 I was winning all the poker games my friends had on the weekends. I really don't think any leisure activity (which is all poker is to kids) will mold them into what they will become as adults...that's supposedly what "parents" do. My Dad teaching me how to play cards is up there with my fondest memories.

#21 11th August 2007, 4:13 PM

I think its ok , my boy is just now learning and he is 17....they play just for fun

#22 11th August 2007, 6:54 PM

I would say yes. I played it as a game when I was a kid for M&m's. I am very competitive, so anything is fun for me.

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