What to Teach My 14 y/o Son

gogadgetdx

gogadgetdx

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He has shown an interest in playing poker (whether by observing me or his high school buddies I don't know), and I figure I may as well give him a head start - no doubt some or many of these kids he'll play with are basically dead money.

The question is: what should I teach him first? Where should I start?

Obviously, assume that the moral implications of whether I should encourage him or not in the first place are non-starters. If you really can't overcome the moral dilemma of the question, please share when and how you first learned to play.
 
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CryptoBlood

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Try to teach him to make bankroll from freerolls and then try to teach him how to play tournaments with buy in where every blind level is longer.
 
cr0thund3r

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Teach him bankroll management and allow him to play freerolls and playmoney.
I started off with playmoney at age of 14
 
cracker

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First teach him what hands beat what hands. (full House beats flush...etc.) Next, not to play every hand teach starting hands.
 
MattRyder

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My advice - teach him to be humble and to be respectful. The practical poker skills can come from many different people and places. The social skills need a firm grounding from a loved one.
 
mtl mile end

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My advice - teach him to be humble and to be respectful. The practical poker skills can come from many different people and places. The social skills need a firm grounding from a loved one.

Matt Ryder, you're so Canadian!;)

What if the kid is a natural born Phil Hellmuth, Vanessa Selbst, or Tony G? Their egomania/table presence has earned them millions!
 
MattRyder

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Matt Ryder, you're so Canadian!;)

What if the kid is a natural born Phil Hellmuth, Vanessa Selbst, or Tony G? Their egomania/table presence has earned them millions!
Point taken. But, how many megastars in their chosen fields today are psychologically, emotionally and socially well grounded and balanced?
 
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dejan85

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my advice better to teach him playing a sport or something he likeas a hobby....
 
mtl mile end

mtl mile end

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Point taken. But, how many megastars in their chosen fields today are psychologically, emotionally and socially well grounded and balanced?

Oh I get it, you're trying to create a good human being. I was just thinking poker. :trytofly:

Certainly try to make a well balanced person out of him, but in poker terms, sometimes you have to let it go (your control that is). The three players I mentioned, as well as being millionaire P'sITA on the felt, are all quality people who support charitable causes and seem well grounded and balanced when they're not throwing things (or making others throw things) at a poker table.
 
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Smokewood

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He has shown an interest in playing poker (whether by observing me or his high school buddies I don't know), and I figure I may as well give him a head start - no doubt some or many of these kids he'll play with are basically dead money.

The question is: what should I teach him first? Where should I start?

Obviously, assume that the moral implications of whether I should encourage him or not in the first place are non-starters. If you really can't overcome the moral dilemma of the question, please share when and how you first learned to play.

Screw that...

Teach him how to nail the hottest chick in school.
 
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erlanditas

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I would suggest you to teach him bankroll management. It's important for him to understand. And give him to play freerolls by that he can win money.
 
gogadgetdx

gogadgetdx

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My advice - teach him to be humble and to be respectful. The practical poker skills can come from many different people and places. The social skills need a firm grounding from a loved one.

Great point! With so much online play, I even forget about the etiquette - thanks for the quality reply!:)
 
gogadgetdx

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I would suggest you to teach him bankroll management. It's important for him to understand. And give him to play freerolls by that he can win money.

I play quite a bit of the freerolls, but then find I don't have the time to see them through - I have often handed him a 5-figure stack and said, "good luck!" - I guess I should have used these teaching opportunities to at least teach hime one meaningful thing per tournament.

What would you suggest?
 
okeedokalee

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Teach him control of his game and his emotions.The mental game of poker has to be conquered first.That way he will be able to cope with anything poker throws at him.
Tommy Angelos's books would be a good starting point.
 
shinedown.45

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At 14, he probably already knows the basics of poker.
Teach him to read basic body language, starting with each players expression when they look at their hole cards.

Position, starting hands based on position.
 
gogadgetdx

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At 14, he probably already knows the basics of poker.
Teach him to read basic body language, starting with each players expression when they look at their hole cards.

Position, starting hands based on position.

This is GREAT advice - the best advice I got younger (didn't really apply older) was to NOT look at my cards right away, but to look at the other players checking their cards. Amazing how just that little nugget did so much against other, newer players ;-):icon_thum
 
Alex Kim27

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Hey. gambling at age 14 is too small. It is not necessary to expose a child to the game, it can have a bad effect on his psychoemotional state. it's my opinion.
 
Vlad symrak

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My son is 6 years old tried to play and 0.02-brought to 0.10 and flew, I barely pookal and conditional I play!I started with grade 9 in five-card matches with friends...
 
playinggameswithu

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Introducing someone to poker is like introducing them to cocaine. This game can be a serious parasite on your finances. There are way more losers than winners.The game is difficult,complex and in a poisonous environment.

Teach it to him as a hobby and teach him the value of a $1 dollar.Never go "pro" or you'll be in hell.
 
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My grandmother started teaching me poker at the age of 5. By the age of 14 I was at some of the more advanced mathematics, but it sounds like your son is just getting into it. If he knows the basics (IE hand rankings, chip counts etc) I would start him on some books. Super system etc. Bankroll management should also be very high on the list.
 
blanktheman

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I think teach him how to have fun while playing poker, teach him that he will lose some and win some and it's all part of the game. Teach him to control his emotions. Most importantly, teach him to manage his bankroll.
 
John_3_16

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Yesterday, 1:18 PM
gogadgetdx
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What to teach my 14 y/o son
He has shown an interest in playing poker (whether by observing me or his high school buddies I don't know), and I figure I may as well give him a head start - no doubt some or many of these kids he'll play with are basically dead money.

The question is: what should I teach him first? Where should I start?

Obviously, assume that the moral implications of whether I should encourage him or not in the first place are non-starters. If you really can't overcome the moral dilemma of the question, please share when and how you first learned to play.



What to teach him first? Hmmmmm. I know. Use a water based lube and always wear protection. Never go all in without these and AA... Even then the outcome is NOT 100%.

:D :cool:
 
subaru16162

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I played since I was 13/14 but only small family games and occasionally my dad would let me place in little 10 cent tournaments. I just had a passion for the game and playing even just for a small amount of money made it feel more real.
 
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