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Should Children Play Poker?


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I actually did a radio interview recently where I said I don't see why kids shouldn't learn to play poker. Tournament poker, obviously, not cash games. I mean compare it to Monopoly – they go bankrupt, they buy properties, negotiate with the bank. Why shouldn't they learn the ways of poker, which is such a great reflection of life. They're both filled with ups, downs, and bad beats. Your approach in life will mostly be the same as in poker.PL: What a great argument for the politicians who just don't seem to get it.IM: Yeah, how about we ban guns, what do you think about that? I can go to Wal-Mart and bullets and BOOM! kill someone. Guns kill people, playing games does not. I don't get it. I learned how to play poker when I was 3. I have pictures of me sitting around the table with all my uncles, I have $5 in front of me, and playing with them. It's a great game! I don't want dolls, I want cards. This is my thing, and I don't have a problem with kids learning early.
from the interview: Isabelle Mercier Interview
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from the interview: Isabelle Mercier Interview
She's from France...Europe generally has a much more relaxed attitude about many things than the United States, who are so puritan in their beliefs. I agree....its no big deal for kids to play poker. My wife and I have many friends from England and they are very relaxed about nakedness...their kids swim in the pool naked. That lasted about 1 month as most of our friends generally freaked out about it. We are wound up WAY to tight here in the gool ol' USA.
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She's from France...Europe generally has a much more relaxed attitude about many things than the United States, who are so puritan in their beliefs. I agree....its no big deal for kids to play poker. My wife and I have many friends from England and they are very relaxed about nakedness...their kids swim in the pool naked. That lasted about 1 month as most of our friends generally freaked out about it. We are wound up WAY to tight here in the gool ol' USA.
She is actually from Canada but lives in France.
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She's from France...Europe generally has a much more relaxed attitude about many things than the United States, who are so puritan in their beliefs. I agree....its no big deal for kids to play poker. My wife and I have many friends from England and they are very relaxed about nakedness...their kids swim in the pool naked. That lasted about 1 month as most of our friends generally freaked out about it. We are wound up WAY to tight here in the gool ol' USA.
i'm pretty sure she's actually French Canadian, not French.edit - oops, a little late
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I'm teaching my 13yr old to play, and my 5yr old calls every card game poker. Dad: "Tyler, let's play Go Fish" Tyler: "No, I want to play poker."*Dad shuffles up and deals* Dad: "I don't have any pairs, I have to Go Fish" Tyler:"I've got a pair of K's, I win" When I'm playing live, if I fold some rags I'll say I didn't want to have to Go Fish to make a hand.

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My daughter is 7 and plays poker with us.She is not bad, chases too much and doesn't fold enough but runs some big bluffs. It kind of sucks when she loses and starts to cry tho, she don't like losing. That is a good start. :club:

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I played in a charity tournament at a local church. Since it was for charity, I let my son who is 11 play. He made the final two tables out of over 100 entrants! The kid is super aggressive and bluffs too much. But he definately has upside.

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I think children definitely should play poker, because I can beat them. Adults are mean and take my money. Children are +EV.
My 8 year old daughter has been playing poker for 2 years. Never real money. Anyway, she beats me more often than not. :club: I've let her play play-money games online, too. She doesn't last long, but she seems to have fun for 5 minutes. Yes, I had to lie for her regarding the Pokerstars "I am at least 18 years of age." Anyway, poker teaches you a lot of lessons about life. Life is an odds-based gamble, and the sooner you understand that, the sooner you can master the game of life. Fine, if you don't buy that argument, then "it teaches you math." You can't argue against that.
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My daughter is 7 and plays poker with us.She is not bad, chases too much and doesn't fold enough but runs some big bluffs. It kind of sucks when she loses and starts to cry tho, she don't like losing. That is a good start. :club:
Is your daughter Phil Hellmuth?
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There's nothing wrong with kids playing poker. It's just another game. It's the moral views of too many people in this country that make it seem seedy. I don't have a problem with playing poker on a moral level like some do.I intend to teach my kids to play very early on, as it's something I really enjoy. And if they enjoy it I want them to be as good as they can be.

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I don't see why anyone would object if there is no money involved. Certainly a lot better than 7 years old playing video games like GTA.

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IM: Yeah, how about we ban guns, what do you think about that? I can go to Wal-Mart and bullets and BOOM! kill someone. Guns kill people, playing games does not. I don't get it.
The problem with this comparison is that guns serve a function that games do not. One can't defend his home or overthrow the government with games.I don't think the government should ban games, either. Being less harmfull than guns is a stupid reason, though.
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I play ten man sng's/$10 entry with a group of parrothead friends. On our camping trip this past summer, I was really shortstacked when another game was about to start. I went to the new game and my ten year old son "finished up" my shortstack for me. He went on to finish 2nd !He plays a few hands online for me if I have to get up for a few minutes to prepare dinner, etcHe does pretty well. If anyone ever catches "me" bluffing online with 72 off, know that it was him, not me. 72 off is his favorite bluffing hand. I usually play limit, so he has gotten quite good at percentages and knowing when he has pot odds to call down with a draw. He still needs some work on understanding the importance of position.My husband has already warned me that when he gets busted for gambling in high school, it will be all my fault.

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